Efforts to ensure better healthcare yielding positive results in Andhra Pradesh, says Health Minister Satya Kumar
In a five-page report submitted to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the performance of the department, Mr. Satya Kumar, who had taken charge on June 16, 2024, said these efforts were reflected in increased accountability of those involved in the health sector, regular monitoring and quantification of performance at all levels.
In the report that was submitted on June 16 and released to the media on Tuesday, the Minister wrote that at first, he had noticed high degree of absenteeism on the part of doctors, para-medical and other supporting staff, lack of accountability and performance.
'Much of these have seen improvement, including attendance, volume of outpatient and inpatient services, public perception about government hospitals,' he noted.
The Minister reported to the Chief Minister about large-scale irregularities in governance, including recruitments, during the tenure of the previous government. To support his statement, he referred to the selection lists at the district level being prepared by some Ministers instead of by the Collectors concerned.
'Zero political interference'
'The present government has taken up recruitment of over 8,000 doctors and other health professionals during the last one year, with zero political interference and without any other considerations. Tenders for various works and procurement are being decided strictly as per stipulated procedure,' the Minister said.
Mr. Satya Kumar said performance monitoring and incentivising good work had been given priority, while postings and transfers of District Medical and Health Officers, District Coordinators of Health Services, Superintendents of Government General Hospitals and principals of Government Medical Colleges had been done in an unbiased manner.
Central funds
'The efforts have resulted in increased scale of sanction of funds and facilities,' he said. Listing them out, the Minister said the Centre had sanctioned 3,318 buildings for Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at a cost of ₹1,065 crore, 10 Critical Care Blocks, 13 Integrated Public Health Labs, ₹80 crore for AYUSH services, ₹90 crore for strengthening food quality testing laboratories, etc.
The Minister added that the Central government also released ₹100 crore as Performance Incentive for effective implementation of National Health Mission (NHM) in the State.
More needs to be done to realise 'Arogyandhrapradesh', Mr. Satya Kumar said.
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