Activists Oppose PPP Model for Govt Medical Colleges in Andhra
Andhra Pradesh- On the occasion of World Health Day, activists in Anantapur, Andhra Prades,h carried out a signature campaign in the city, demanding the state government not to hand over the upcoming government medical colleges to private players in the name ofthe public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Both the organisations- Praja Arogya Vedika and Prajarogya Pariksha Samiti were demanding from the state government that the new government medical colleges should not be handed over on the PPP model, health should be considered a public right, and separate budget and administrative arrangements should be provided for the Government Super Specialty Hospital located in Anantapur.
According to a The Hindu media news report, the signature campaign was organised in front of the Government General Hospital and was inaugurated by former MLC Gyanand. Around 200 people from different areas participated in the campaign and expressed their support for the demands.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in order to enhance the access and quality of healthcare in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced plans to set up multi-speciality hospitals in all 175 assembly constituencies, each with a capacity of 100 to 300 beds. These hospitals will be set up under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, which is a major step towards realising the government's dream of a "healthy Andhra Pradesh" in the next five years.
Naidu highlighted the collaboration with global organizations, such as Tata and the Gates Foundation, to introduce world-class healthcare technology and practices in every hospital.
In addition to the district-level hospital projects, Naidu unveiled plans for a mega medicity in Amaravati, which will be developed under the PPP model with central government assistance. Moreover, Naidu also mentioned that the Centre has plans to develop 25 such medicities across India, and discussions are underway to locate one in Amaravati.
