AP govt to start construction of 16 new medical colleges

VIJAYAWADA: The state government is to start the process for construction of 16 new medical colleges in the state and treatment 2,000 ailments under Aarogyasri across the state.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said this while conducting a review meeting on Nadu-Nedu in hospitals in his camp office at Tadepalli on Thursday.

He said that treatment to 2,000 diseases is currently covered under Aarogyasri in seven districts. From November 13 this facility would be provided to the remaining six districts. He said that tenders processes for the new medical colleges would start in November in a phased manner and would be completed by January.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the state government would be spending
Rs 17,300 crore to revamp the existing government hospitals and for establishing the new medical colleges under the Nadu-Nedu initiative. He directed officials to finalise the tenders for new medical colleges by January.

The Chief Minister sought details on the establishment of new medical colleges, development of village clinics, primary healthcare centres, community health centres, area hospitals and district-level hospitals.

Reiterating that all the hospitals should have better medical facilities, he said that there will be no compromise on the quality of infrastructure or the services being provided in hospitals. He stated that hospital authorities should be accountable and responsible in all aspects and directed them to ensure that all facilities are in place and make sure that patients should experience the feel of corporate hospitals. He said that there should not be any complaints on sanitation or other facilities.

He instructed the authorities to study best practices in the construction of hospitals and implement them in the state. In addition to these, he also stressed on following environment-friendly initiatives and setting up of green buildings. He directed the authorities to immediately release Rs. 5,472 crore for revamping the existing hospitals under the Nadu-Nedu.

Meanwhile, officials informed that the tenders for medical colleges in Paderu, Piduguralla, Machilipatnam and Pulivendula will be finalised by the end of November, and for Bapatla, Narsapuram, Eluru, Anakapalli, Markapuram, Madanapalle and Nandyal medical colleges by December. For Vizianagaram, Rajahmundry, Penukonda, Amalapuram and Adoni medical colleges the tenders will be finalised by January. All these works will entail an expenditure of Rs 7,500 crore.

On Aarogyasri referral programme, the Chief Minister stated that village/ward secretariats will be acting as referral centres till the establishment of YSR Health Clinics. He stated that the list of empanelled hospitals has to be displayed at all secretariats and the health assistant or ANM will be guiding the patients in receiving treatment from the best hospital.

As the Aarogyasri programme will be made available in the remaining six districts from November 13, the Chief Minister directed the authorities to add any treatment or procedures to the list if necessary.

Health minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas, Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney and other officials were present on the occasion.