CM Jagan's Vision: Affordable Healthcare for All Under Extended Aarogyasri

Amaravati, Dec 13: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officials from the Medical and Health Department to instill confidence among the people, assuring that all Aarogyasri cardholders can avail themselves of free medical treatment up to Rs. 25 lakh under the YSR Aarogyasri scheme.

During a review meeting on the launch of the extended Aarogyasri scheme held at the Camp Office on Wednesday, the Chief Minister emphasized that the government has a responsibility to extend the benefits of health and education to the people as a matter of right.

Officials should assure the public that any eligible person in need of medical treatment for any ailment can avail it free of cost up to Rs. 25 lakh under Aarogyasri.

The extended YSR Aarogyasri scheme will be launched on December 18, and MLAs will participate in follow-up programs in villages in every constituency from the next day, he said.

The government has enhanced the limit for free medical treatment to Rs. 25 lakh with a humanitarian approach. Officials should act responsibly in extending the benefit to those in need, implementing this historic decision, he added.

Anyone undergoing medical treatment under Aarogyasri should receive Rs. 300 towards charges when they go to doctors again for follow-up consultation. Similarly, patients identified in Jagananna Arogya Suraksha should also be given Rs. 500 each to visit hospitals.

The Chief Minister suggested making a specially developed video on availing free medical treatment under Aarogyasri available to volunteers, secretariat staff, and officials of the health department, as well as accessible to all people.

He also directed officials to construct residential quarters for specialist doctors working in government hospitals.

The department is printing new Aarogyasri cards, which will be distributed to all households across the state. Officials plan to complete the distribution by the end of January.

In addition, a massive public awareness campaign will be launched on availing free medical treatment under Aarogyasri, with participation from ANMs, CHOs, ASHA workers, volunteers, enthusiasts, people’s representatives, and women police.

They will also assist people in downloading the Disha App and provide support to patients being treated under Aarogyasri by handing over medicines to them.

Directing officials to launch the second phase of Jagananna Arogya Suraksha from January 1, the Chief Minister instructed them to conduct one Suraksha camp in a village in each mandal in rural areas and one camp in a ward in urban areas every week.

He mentioned that medical treatment being extended to kidney patients in the Uddhanam area should be expanded to kidney patients in other areas by making all necessary medicines available in village health clinics operated by family doctors.

The treatment facilities available in Palasa should also be replicated in the medical college at Markapuram, he told the officials.

Doctors should support kidney patients by conducting necessary tests and providing treatment. He added that Urology departments should be established along with Nephrology sections in all new medical colleges.

Special CS (Medical and Health) M.T. Krishna Babu, AP Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Commissioner Dr S. Venkateswar, YSR Aarogyasri CEO DK Balaji, and senior officials were among those present.