AP health roundup: 2022 saw launch of family doctor concept, 17 new medical colleges

Amaravati: From launching the family physician concept to sanctioning new medical colleges, the health sector in Andhra Pradesh saw many significant developments in 2022. As many as 809 additional medical procedures were launched under the YSR Aarogyasri scheme, taking the total number of free medical services to 3,255. The annual expenditure due to increased medical treatment in Aarogyasri is Rs. 2,894.87 crores.

Revamping hospitals

Under the Nadu-Nedu programme, the government is revamping hospitals in the state with a budget of Rs. 16,255 crores. As many as 11,888 works were undertaken in the existing and new hospitals, of which 4,851 have been completed so far. Starting from primary health centers (PHCs) to village and ward clinics, community health centres (CHC), area hospitals (AH), district hospitals (DH), and development works relating to teaching hospitals are also being undertaken under the Nadu-Nedu programme.

New medical colleges

Another major initiative the government took up in 2022 was the construction of 17 new medical colleges in the state at a cost of Rs. 12,268 crores, along with the existing 11 medical colleges. The new medical and nursing colleges will be built in Paderu, Vizianagaram, Narsipatnam, Rajahmundry, Palakollu, Amalapuram, Eluru, Machilipatnam, Bapatla, Markapuram, Piduguralla, Madanapalle, Pulivendula, Penukonda, Adoni, Nandyala, and Parvathipuram.

Family physician concept

Under the state government's flagship programme, 'Family Physician Concept,' healthcare is being provided at the village level as a preventive measure. The concept will reduce the load on secondary and tertiary hospitals. Every mandal will have four doctors, two ambulances with one doctor, and an ambulance that will tour villages.

Aimed at extending health care to the rural population, the government is also setting up YSR village clinics for every 2,000 population. Of the 10,032 village clinics, 3,673 are ready and an amount of Rs. 1,692 crore was sanctioned for the same. The village clinics are envisaged to provide round-the-clock health care services at the village level. Each village clinic will have one ANM (Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery) and one mid-level health provider (MLHP).

These clinics can perform 14 tests, including OPD, disease control programmes, NCD screening, FP services, immunisation, and diagnostics and will have 67 types of medicines. Besides, yoga and wellness activities are also made available in these clinics. All routine and additional immunisations for children and pregnant women can be done at these clinics.

500 Thalli Bidda Express

The state also flagged off 500 'Dr. YSR Thalli Bidda Express' meant to provide free transport to pregnant women, mothers, and infants. The government has embarked on a programme to bring postnatal women home safely and comfortably after delivery from government hospitals. These vehicles are enabled with a GPS tracking facility to ensure their safety. Besides that, the government is also paying the mother Rs. 5,000 for various needs under Dr. YSR Arogya Asara after childbirth.

As part of its efforts to contain the further spread of the coronavirus in the state, the Chief Minister virtually inaugurated 144 Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants at various government hospitals across the state.

After the new variant BF.7 cases were reported in other countries and new guidelines were issued by the Union ministry of family and health care, Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the state officials to find out the preparedness of all government hospitals. He set a deadline to complete the process by 5 January. He asked the staff of village clinics, working under the direct control of PHCs, to take complete responsibility for the village concerned. All the suspect cases are told to be thoroughly tested, and necessary treatment is provided.