Latest news with #PrajaArogyaVedika
The Hindu
11-08-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Seminar on impact of healthcare privatisation in Vijayawada on August 24
In response to the State government's plans to hand over management of 10 medical colleges to private entities and its decision to establish super-specialty hospitals under the public-private partnership (PPP) model in every Assembly constituency, Praja Arogya Vedika is organising a seminar on the impact of privatisation of the healthcare sector. Addressing the media in Vijayawada on Monday, the Vedika members said that the seminar titled 'Privatisation of the Healthcare Sector: Impacts and Solutions', will be held on August 24 at the M.B. Vignana Kendram Auditorium. Vedika's organising secretary G. Vijay Prakash said that the introduction of Government Orders (GOs) 107 and 108 in the State has resulted in half of the seats in the newly-established and upcoming government medical colleges being sold off. The practice reduces reservation quotas, diminishing opportunities for students from marginalised communities, Mr. Vijay Prakash said. The fees, too, have skyrocketed, he added. The members said that the seminar will discuss these subjects at length. G.V.S. Murthy, a professor from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who has extensive experience in public health privatisation, will elaborate on the topics. Additionally, the seminar will address the growing severity of cancers due to lifestyle, habits, and environmental factors. Experts from the MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad, St. Theresa Hospital and ASVINS Hospital, Hyderabad, would be taking part. The members released posters of the seminar on Monday.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Services of Dr. B.C. Roy recalled at Doctors' Day celebrations
The speakers at the National Doctors' Day celebrations recalled the contribution of the late Dr BC Roy to the medical profession, his exemplary services to the poor both as a doctor and later as Chief Minister of West Bengal, at a programme organised by Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV) at the Alluri Vignana Kendram here on Tuesday. Doctors' Day is being observed on July 1 in recognition of the services of Dr. Roy, who was born on July 1, 1882, and had passed away on July 1, 1962. He was given the Bharat Ratna in 1950. Popular doctors Dr. S. Prakasa Rao, a former HOD of ENT Department, KGH, and Dr. K. Subba Rao, a former HOD of Gynaecology, KGH, were felicitated on the occasion. Earlier, Dr. Y. Narasinga Rao, who inaugurated the programme, alleged that the State government was shirking its responsibility with its decision to run 10 medical colleges under the PPP mode. The plan was to allocate seats after collecting lakhs of rupees from students in the name of capitation fee, he alleged. PAV State general secretary T. Kameswara Rao demanded implementation of Health Security Act for the six crore people of the State, and to make health a fundamental right. He also sought an end to the plan to privatise medical colleges in the name of 'PPP'. AP Medical and Sales Representatives Union State secretary K.V.P. Chandra Mouli, Visakhapatnam district vice president M.V.R.S. Srikanth also spoke.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Concerns rise over massive yoga day event amidst surge in COVID-19 cases
As the State gears up for Yogandhra-2025, marking International Yoga Day on June 21, concerns are being raised about the timing of the mega event in view of the rising Covid-19 cases. The massive event proposed to be held on a 20-km stretch along the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend, is expected to draw over 5 lakh participants. The State government has also announced plans to mobilise thousands of participants for the event. While the current rise in COVID-19 cases is not considered alarming, health experts warn that mass gatherings without proper precautions like wearing masks, maintaining physical distance between participants, and lack of hygiene could lead to a spike in cases. A doctor said: 'Though the present strains of the virus, which are variants of omicron, are not causing severe illness or death, one cannot rule out the long-term effects of the virus. Patients may develop health issues at a later stage in their life.' Recently, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) three-day 'Mahanadu' meeting in Kadapa saw thousands of party leaders and workers attend the event without wearing masks. Ironically, the State government had earlier issued an advisory asking people not to participate in large gatherings, religious congregations, and party meetings. However, it withdrew the advisory ahead of the Mahanadu. Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV) general secretary T. Kameswara Rao and its president MV Ramaniah expressed concern over the planned mega Yoga Day event on June 21. In a letter to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday, they warned that mobilising 2 lakh participants across 20-km, poses a risk of becoming a COVID-19 'super-spreader event', especially given the rise of active cases in Visakhapatnam and across the country. Dr. K. Rambabu, Director of Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), told The Hindu: 'Most people have developed herd immunity either due to previous infection or vaccination. The chance of infection is low. However, those with co-morbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease should take extra precautions.' He added that yoga is unlikely to pose a risk as participants would be performing asanas on mats at a safe distance.'
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Health body flags COVID risk at TDP Mahanadu meet, slams govt. for ‘double standards'
Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV) has raised concerns over the three-day TDP Mahanadu event, set to begin in Kadapa on May 27, citing the renewed threat of a COVID-19 resurgence and rising cases across the country. In a letter to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, PAV president M.V. Ramanaiah and general secretary T. Kameswara Rao highlighted recent data showing 1,009 new cases reported nationwide in the past 24 hours. Kerala accounted for 430 cases, followed by Maharashtra (209), Delhi (104) and Gujarat (83). They also pointed to a global spike in infections, which has prompted the World Health Organization to issue fresh warnings. Referring to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the State government recently, the PAV leaders said the advisory has clearly asked the public not to organise mass gatherings. It also advised senior citizens and pregnant women to remain indoors and others to ensure strict adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour like ensuring adequate social distancing, wearing masks and frequent washing of hands. Ironically, the State government, which issued guidelines to the public, is organising the Mahanadu on a grand scale in Kadapa, they said, adding that arrangements were being made to mobilise five lakh people for the event. They noted that there was no clarity on how the organisers would follow COVID-appropriate behaviour at the gathering. The organisers seem to be ignorant of the danger to the people of the State due the mass gathering, which can aid the spread of the disease, the leaders said. The PAV leaders pointed out that the government should also realise what message it would be sending to the general public by organising such mass gathering, ignoring the renewed threat of the pandemic. They demanded that the Mahanadu organisers should strictly adhere to the COVID-19 advisory issued by the government. The number of participants should be restricted, overcrowding at one place should be prevented, compulsory wearing of masks should be insisted on all participants and regular sanitisation should be ensured at the venue, they added.
New Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Experts demand health as a fundamental right; oppose privatisation of medical colleges
VIJAYAWADA: Public health experts, retired bureaucrats, and civil society leaders came together on Sunday to demand that health be recognised as a fundamental right and to oppose the privatisation of government medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh. The conference on 'Privatisation of Medical Colleges and Analysis of Andhra Pradesh Health Budget' was held at Makineni Basavapunnaiah Vignana Kendram in Vijayawada, jointly organised by Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV), Jana Vignana Vedika, and the Kendram. Dr PV Ramesh, retired IAS officer and former Health Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, said successive governments had failed to strengthen the public health system and had instead handed over critical services to corporate control. He cited Kerala's health model as an example, warning that over-commercialisation had driven basic healthcare out of the poor's reach. He criticised the transfer of Chittoor Government Hospital to Apollo Hospitals and the decision to run ten new medical colleges under Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). He also condemned the collection of crores in capitation fees and allocation of seats without merit. Budget analyst Dr David Sudhakar noted that the World Health Organisation recommends allocating 6% of GDP to healthcare, but India's health expenditure remains below 1.9%. Andhra Pradesh, he said, has not crossed 1.3% of state GDP in the last eight years. He highlighted the acute shortage of staff in government hospitals and medical colleges, questioning how quality care could be ensured in such conditions. Dr MV Ramanayya, Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV) State President, criticised the self-financing model introduced through GOs 107 and 108, saying it deprived students from poor and marginalised backgrounds. He added that the present coalition government had failed to fulfil its promise to repeal these orders. Praja Arogya Vedika State General Secretary T Kameshwara Rao warned that the Parivar Pehchan Patra model would allow private players to sell 50% of seats, pushing fees up to Rs 20 lakh and reducing reserved quotas. The conference unanimously passed a resolution seeking enactment of a Right to Health Act, halting privatisation of government medical colleges, increasing health budget allocations, recruiting required staff, and ensuring public control over health institutions.
