CM Naidu sanctions Rs 500 crore for NTR Vaidya Seva Scheme

Vijayawada: In a significant development, private hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, under the Association of Healthcare Providers of Andhra Pradesh, resumed healthcare services under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme on Tuesday. This follows a directive from Chief Minister  N. Chandrababu Naidu, who instructed the immediate release of Rs 500 crore to settle outstanding dues.

The suspension of services began on April 7, when private hospitals decided to stop providing care under the NTR Vaidya Seva and the Employees Health Scheme due to outstanding payments of up to Rs 3,500 crore.

Also Read: AP Private Hospitals to Suspend Cashless Services under Vaidya Seva

In response to the crisis, Chief Minister Naidu called for an emergency meeting with the executive body of ASHA late on Monday night. During the meeting, CM Naidu explained the challenges the state government faced in managing available resources and balancing the healthcare needs of the public.

According to Deccan Chronicle, however, understanding the crucial role played by the hospitals and healthcare providers, the CM gave his approval for the release of Rs 500 crore immediately and assured to clear the remaining dues with top priority.

Also Read: AP Medical Professionals demand Fair pay, Cadre Allocation in NTR Vaidya seva Trust

Following the assurance of immediate payments and a commitment to resolve the remaining concerns, the ASHA executive body agreed to resume cashless services under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme across all private hospitals in the state starting Tuesday.