Poor should not fall into debt trap for medical treatment, Jagan tells officials

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday directed medical and health department officials to launch a large-scale public awareness campaign about YSR Aarogyasri for people to avail of free medical services at various listed hospitals.

In a review meeting held at his camp office, Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officials to create awareness about availing of services of ANMs, ASHA workers and CHOs by publicising ailments and procedures listed under Aarogyasri.

“Since the Aarogyasri is meant for serving the underprivileged, poor people should not be deprived of its services… they should not fall into debt trap for getting medical treatment,” he said, directing officials that even a single eligible person must not be left clueless about it.

Officials apprised the Chief Minister that 1,42,34,464 Aarogyasri cards were being printed, with distribution and the awareness campaign to be launched on December 18. So far, 12,42,118 beneficiaries have availed of free treatment under the scheme till November-end, which was a yearly rise of 24.64 per cent, they said.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to hold periodic reviews on the status of basic facilities at hospitals, vacancies and filling them. He also asked officials to take stringent measures to safeguard the public from the H9N2 virus, which is rapidly spreading in China.

Discussing the Jagananna Aarogya Suraksha, the Chief Minister said that the second phase of the scheme would begin on January 1, with at least one camp to be organised in each mandal every week, with the participation of specialist doctors.

Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officials to focus on three tasks: distribution of medicines, extension of medical treatment with follow-ups and re-distribution of medicines to patients treated earlier for serious ailments. He also said patients should be given '500 each upon admission to hospitals.

Officials said that of the 86,690 non-ophthalmologic patients identified for treatment, 73,602 were sent to hospitals and 16,128 of them were admitted as in-patients, with 15,786 of them undergoing surgeries.

The Chief Minister suggested that doctors monitor patients’ health till they recover fully post-surgery. He was informed that 78,292 persons were found to require eye treatment and 13,614 of them have undergone cataract surgeries, with 7,272 treated for different eye problems and eyeglasses distributed to 5, 26, 702 persons.

When officials said that family doctors were visiting villages periodically, the Chief Minister said they should use modern technology for the timely distribution of medicines to those who undergo treatment at the Aarogya Suraksha camps. “Family doctors and the paramedical teams should help people download the Aarogyasri app and also the Disha app,” he said.