AP Urged to Increase Health Budget for Public Health Reforms
By : Laxmi Pranathi
Update: 2025-01-10 16:50 GMT
VIJAYAWADA: A round-table meeting on “Andhra Pradesh Health Budget—and Public Health” here has called for a substantial hike in the state’s health care budget and reforms in the sector.
General Secretary of Prajarogya Vedika, T. Kameswara Rao, cited figures to press the point. He noted that 31.2 per cent of children under five years are physically and mentally underdeveloped, 29.6 per cent are underweight in relation to their height, and 54 per cent of pregnant women suffer from anemia.
Tribal areas, particularly in ASR district, were identified as the most affected in malnutrition.
Vijaya Prakash, NTR district secretary to the Public Health Forum, pleaded that at least 6 per cent of the state budget must be allocated to the health sector. There, he said, is a need for improved infrastructure, equipment and staffing in government hospitals.
Donepudi Shankar, CPI district secretary, said corporate hospitals have stopped accepting Arogyasri cases due to pending government payments and that privatization would worsen the situation.
Tribal areas, particularly in ASR district, were identified as the most affected in malnutrition.
Vijaya Prakash, NTR district secretary to the Public Health Forum, pleaded that at least 6 per cent of the state budget must be allocated to the health sector. There, he said, is a need for improved infrastructure, equipment and staffing in government hospitals.
Donepudi Shankar, CPI district secretary, said corporate hospitals have stopped accepting Arogyasri cases due to pending government payments and that privatization would worsen the situation.