Health for all: 40676 people recruited, 176 PHCs sanctioned, 977 renovated in AP

Amaravati: Principal Secretary of Health, Medical, and Family Welfare MT Krishna Babu said 40676 people have been recruited and another 5000 vacancies are scheduled to be filled up.

"Never in the history of Andhra Pradesh health department, a decision was taken to fill up all the vacant posts, and sanction was given to fill all required human resources for health. As of now, a total of 40676 (including all cadres) staff were recruited. Further, rising vacancies in all cadres to about 5000 posts are being scheduled to fill up", said MT Krishna Babu.

He was chairing a meeting to review developments and new projects in the Health Sector.

New PHC's

To ensure a minimum of two primary healthcare centers per Mandal, additional 176 PHCs have been sanctioned. They shall be operationalized by September 2023. Under Nadu Nedu, 977 PHCs are being renovated and new buildings are being constructed for 148 PHCs with a budget outlay of Rs. 661.55 crore. The work shall be completed by August 2022.

New posts

Mr. Krishna Babu said that the government is making efforts to fill up all specialist vacancies in all secondary and tertiary hospitals. As per GOs issued in July, specialty degrees/diplomas working in PHCs and other facilities are being redeployed to Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (APVVP) Hospitals.

Village health clinics

The state has started a concept of Village Health Clinics for every 2000 population. In addition to 6313 Sub centers, the AP government has sanctioned 3719 taking the total number of Village health clinics to 10032. The basic structure of primary health care has been revamped and a village health clinic for every 2000 population is envisaged to provide round-the-clock services at the village level.

These VHCs will have an ANM, MLHP (Mid-Level Health Provider), and services including OPD, Disease control programmes, NCD screening, FP services, Immunization, diagnostics (14 tests), dispensing of medicines (67 types), yoga and wellness activities. "Government has allocated 1692 crores for construction of village clinics and they will be ready by December 2022", he added.

UPHC for every 30k population

For the urban population, the state has established 556 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC). Every 30,000 population will have one UPHC. Every Urban Clinic has been sanctioned with one Medical Officer, two Staff Nurses, one Lab technician, one Pharmacist, one Data Entry Operator, and one Class IV employee. These urban clinics are providing 63 category diagnostics and dispense 215 categories of drugs.

As of now, 556 YSR Urban Health Clinics are being established with 353 new buildings and 203 renovated buildings. The estimated project cost is Rs 367.60 crores.

Strengthening Secondary Health Care services

The government has issued orders for restructuring the Community Healthcare Centers, (CHCs), Area hospitals, and District Hospitals based on bed strength. Secondary health care services are being provided with 177 51 sub-district Hospitals and 17 District Hospitals. By December 2022, 121 CHCs, 42 AHs, and 2 MCH (Mother and Child Health) will be completed.

Medical colleges

AP Government is trying to provide quality specialty healthcare through medical college hospitals. As of now, there are 11 Medical and 2 Dental colleges in the government sector. In addition, 16 medical colleges shall be established ensuring one medical college in every parliamentary constituency, providing 1850 new MBBS seats. So far, orders have been issued for establishing 5 medical colleges at Eluru, Machilipatnam, Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, and Nandyal. Tribal multi-specialty hospitals are being established at Seethampeta, Parvathipuram, Rampachodavaram, Buttayigudem, and Dornala with an estimated cost of Rs. 246 crores.

One Super Specialty hospital, a Cancer hospital, and an Institute of Mental Care are being established at Kadapa. A super specialty hospital with a kidney research center and dialysis unit are being established at Palasa, Srikakulam district. Cancer care hospitals are being established at Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Kurnool to provide comprehensive cancer treatment.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana(PMMVY)

All the pregnant women are being paid Rs 5000 for the first delivery under PMMVY. The incentive is being paid in three installments, Rs 1000 on registration, Rs 2000 on two ANC checks ups and Rs.2000 on completion of vaccination in 6 weeks. In the last three years ( 2019-20 to 2021-2022), 6,83,390 got benefitted with Rs 341 crores.

Janani Surakha Yojana :

All pregnant women delivered in government health facilities shall be given Rs.1000 per delivery. On average, 4 lakh beneficiaries per year are being paid under JSY. "Labour rooms are also being modernized, and the pregnant women shall be provided two times USG scan facility free of cost at network hospitals. Since Anaemia is the major cause of concern in reducing maternal mortality, we have started a weekly monitoring mechanism, where pregnant women will be tested for HB monthly and necessary supplementation will be provided", said Mr. Krishna Babu.