Andhra Pradesh Set to Gain Four New Medical Colleges Under Innovative PPP Model, Announces Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav

VIJAYAWADA: On Saturday, Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav declared that Andhra Pradesh will establish four new medical colleges through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model beginning with this academic session.

At a press conference held in Vijayawada to commemorate the NDA government's one-year milestone in office, the health minister highlighted significant accomplishments within the health sector. The minister also criticized the past administration for various systematic shortcomings and presented a forward-looking plan aimed at revolutionizing public healthcare in the state.

"The reason for setting up 10 new medical colleges through the PPP model stems entirely from the former administration's heritage," stated Satya Kumar Yadav, further noting that the state government is now ready to enforce reforms with responsibility and openness.

Emphasizing accomplishments driven by performance metrics, the minister mentioned that Andhra Pradesh was awarded a performance bonus of Rs 100 crore under the National Health Mission (NHR), marking an unprecedented achievement for the state. Through the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) program, within a single year, the government initiated the construction of 3,318 new facilities using Rs 1,065 crore in central aid—a significant leap from the 6,000 constructions achieved over five years previously.

He mentioned that this year saw the approval for 10 new Critical Care Blocks (CCBs), with each block valued at Rs 25 crores. Out of the earlier allotted amount of Rs 1,280 crores, merely Rs 28 crores was utilized during the tenure of the former YSRCP government. However, the present leadership has already expended Rs 62 crores and aims to have five CCBs up and running by the close of this month.

The diagnostic infrastructure has undergone considerable enhancement as well. There have been thirteen new Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs) approved, which equals the total from the preceding five years. The City Diagnostic Centres (CDCs) located in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati are currently being readied for operation.

Over 3,200 diagnostic devices have been acquired, and doorstep diagnostic testing will commence via 104 mobile units, beginning with a trial run involving 34 vehicles.

The cardiac laboratories in Ongole and Kadapa are now operational. An approval has been granted for six extra CT scanners along with three additional cath labs. The Kurnool Cancer Hospital is completely up and running, equipped with four state-of-the-art Linac machines for treating cancer patients.

The state government aims to bolster the digital healthcare framework by setting up a Digital Health Command and Care Center in partnership with the Gates Foundation. Additionally, they are developing a trial Digital Nerve Centre with Tata Trusts in Kuppam, which will benefit 3.3 lakhs individuals. These facilities will improve remote medical services, digitized diagnostic processes, and artificial intelligence-driven patient surveillance.

Regarding preventive measures, the minister mentioned that the NCD 3.0 (Non-Communicable Diseases) initiative for detecting cancers and other illnesses has reached 2.71 crores individuals, which constitutes 66% of the country’s adults. Through the STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) program, over 2,650 lives have been saved as these life-saving injections valued at INR 45,000 each are provided free-of-cost to avoid heart attacks. As part of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (National Child Health Program), screenings were conducted for 58 lakhs out of 69 lakhs children studying in schools.

Tighter oversight resulted in a 14.2% increase in doctors' and staff members' presence at their duties. This enhancement also boosted public contentment, causing bribery allegations to decline from more than 60% to 41%.

Minister Satya Kumar Yadav criticized the former administration for not implementing the promised programs effectively. Out of the 17 planned medical colleges, only five were functioning, and merely 14% of the approved Rs 8,400 crore budget had been utilized.

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