Andhra to boost healthcare with 100-bed hospitals in every Constituency

The Chief Minister proposed mass awareness campaigns to educate the public on healthy food habits, the importance of pesticide-free organic produce, and the need for lifestyle changes. He also emphasized the importance of educating farmers and the general public about sustainable farming practices and healthier living choices.

A notable announcement during the meeting was the revival of the Yogadhyayana Parishad, a body dedicated to promoting traditional health systems. This initiative will emphasize the benefits of practices such as yoga, naturopathy, Ayurveda, homeopathy, and Unani medicine. To support this initiative, a dedicated society will be established, and staff will be recruited through the Medical Services Recruitment Board.

According to TNIE, Naidu stressed that yoga should become a daily habit and its benefits, including its role in promoting natural childbirth, must be widely publicised. He instructed officials to organise both online and offline yoga training sessions across the State. “We already announced a Yoga Day declaration, but it must move beyond advertisements and into people’s lives,” he said.

Another major focus was the Care and Grow Policy, aimed at combating nutritional deficiencies in children. Naidu emphasized the importance of early detection of deficiencies, which could prevent long-term health complications in adulthood. He called for the effective implementation of this policy.

Additionally, Naidu outlined the progress of the Tata Digital Nerve Centres (DiNC), a collaborative effort between the Tata Trust and the Gates Foundation. These centres use technology to provide affordable healthcare services and alert citizens about potential health risks. The pilot project in Kuppam has already begun operations, with plans to expand throughout Chittoor district by January 2026 and across the state by the end of 2026. 

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To further streamline the delivery of healthcare services, command control centres will be established at both the district and state levels. Naidu also proposed the organization of healthcare hackathons to explore how technology can be utilized to reduce medical costs and improve service delivery.

Naidu emphasized the importance of regular diagnostic testing, such as CT and MRI scans, every three to six months to facilitate early disease detection. He directed officials to ensure that diagnostic centres in key cities like Tirupati, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam offer affordable services to the economically disadvantaged populations.

He also directed officials to speed up the construction of medical colleges across the state, including the consideration of setting up deemed universities to enhance medical education.

On the occasion, Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav raised concerns about the staff shortages at the Institute of Preventive Medicine, where only 143 out of the 723 sanctioned positions were filled. In response, Naidu approved the immediate recruitment of 150 staff members to address the issue.

He also instructed the department to address the issues faced by students who studied medical courses abroad and ensure clear communication of the government’s steps, reports TNIE.