Public Health Protection is the Government's Goal* *Revolutionary Changes in the Medical Sector* *: Medical Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav*

K.V.SHARMA

EDITOR 

 Visakhapatnam, April 12: The main goal of the government is to make corporate-level medical services accessible to the poor people, and the medical sector in the state has achieved remarkable growth in the last two years, said Medical Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Satyakumar Yadav. On Sunday, the Minister inaugurated water fountains along with an Endo Bronchial Ultrasound Machine (ebus) at the Chest and Communicable Diseases Hospital in Visakhapatnam along with District Collector Abhishek Kishore.

​In a meeting organized on this occasion, Minister Satyakumar Yadav said that this ultrasound machine is the first in the Telugu states and it will be of great benefit to the people of this region.
​In the last two years, OP and IP services in hospitals have increased significantly.  He said that the OP services in this chest hospital, which were 35,000 in 2023, have reached 45,000 by 2025, and the increase in the number of major surgeries from 359 to 649 is a testament to the dedication of the doctors and staff.
​For the first time in the country, free cancer screening tests are being conducted across the state,
​state-of-the-art cancer centers have been set up in Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Kadapa and Guntur,
​by the next financial year, comprehensive cancer centers will also be completed in Kakinada and Anantapur and efforts will be made towards a cancer-free Andhra Pradesh.

Funds have been increased drastically under Arogyashri (NTR Medical Service). He said that the payments, which were previously 6 lakh rupees, have now increased to 3 crore 76 lakhs. Due to this, people's trust in government hospitals and doctors has increased.
He said that steps are being taken to make a new dialysis machine available in the state every three days. He said that the number of dialysis machines is being increased from 550 to 725 and kidney sufferers are being provided with assurance.
​The minister clarified that the 'Universal Health Scheme' is going to be implemented soon to provide free medical facilities up to Rs 25 lakh to every family,

Andhra Pradesh is the only state providing free medical treatment on such a large scale.
Speaking on the occasion, District Collector Abhishek Kishore said that it is heartening that state-of-the-art technology is available in government hospitals as well, without being inferior to corporate hospitals. He said that this will play a key role in providing quality medical services to the people. He congratulated the hospital management for providing this equipment. He also thanked the state government and district administration for their cooperation in this program.

He expressed hope that Andhra Pradesh should be at the forefront in all sectors in the country, especially Visakhapatnam should stand as an example in the health sector.  He said that Visakhapatnam has achieved another milestone in the field of pulmonary medicine with this new device.
He said that there is a need to effectively utilize this facility, conduct a large number of tests and treatments and spread best practices across the state.
Similarly, he said that the district administration will work to mobilize more resources through CSR and provide necessary facilities in hospitals. For this, he suggested that doctors and related organizations should prepare a list of their needs.
He said that steps will be taken to further develop Visakhapatnam as a global city through partnerships with domestic and international organizations.

NTR Vaidya Seva Chairman Seethamraju Sudhakar, Ravi Kumar, Dr. Pullarao, Chest Hospital Superintendent Sunil Kumar, Andhra Medical College Principal Dr. Sandhyarani, KGH Superintendent Dr. Vani, DMHO Dr. Jagadeeshwar Rao, Dr. Ramesh, other medical experts and staff participated in this program.