Healthcare At Stake

Earlier, people with health ailments used to have the assurance of Aarogyasree scheme. The poor are now tensed about ill-health and are having to sell their assets to meet the medical needs. The demise of former CM Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy pushed the healthcare sector of the state into a devastated state. With very few funds being allocated to patients in ICU through Aarogyasree, the hospitals that once showed enthusiasm to offer services to the poor are stepping back.

The poor usually approach the Government hospitals as soon as they face any ill-health. But due to the negligence shown by the Government, the healthcare system in the state is slowly going under the shadow of private sector, the first step of the privatization being the merger of Chittoor Government Hospital with Apollo.

Only to water down Aarogyasree

Aarogyasree was a scheme initiated by former CM, Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy, in order to offer quality medical services to the poor. Chandrababu’s Government, that is supposed to implement Aarogyasree efficiently while making the GHs better, has decided to ignore its duty. AP CM Chandrababu Naidu has brought ‘Aarogya Raksha’ scheme into picture, with the motto ‘Health For All’. He made it his first signature in the new year. The name of the scheme may be misleading. This is, absolutely, not something that provides free healthcare service. One should pay Rs.100 per month, making the annual payment Rs.1200 for the insurance.

This is what private insurance companies do. Chandrababu only ‘painted’ it with Government colour. Chandrababu’s emphasis is on the statement that compared to private insurance policies, the premium is very less. Aarogyasree (now being called as ‘NTR Vaidya Seva’) is available any way. Moreover, there are more schemes for women, children and the aged. In that case, what is the need for this ‘insurance policy’? Here lies the catch. This is only to benefit private insurance companies and pocket commissions.

Government hospitals in sad state

If the Government wants to help people, it should uplift the Government Hospitals in such a way that they can approach them with multiplied trust. There is nothing new to mention about the devastated state of GHs. The Government is not interested to look into making them better, despite repeated exposure of their bad state by the media. The menace of rats and ants in Guntur GH killing babies and the lack of stretchers in Guntakal GH, leaving a woman with no option but to drag her husband upstairs are only examples of the poor state of maintenance of GHs. Incidents of lack of security leading to kidnap of newborn babies are countless.

The CM is obviously not concerned about these incidents. He is only inclined towards benefiting the private sectors, rather than the people who have voted for him.

Healthcare industry in private hands from now

Conduction of blood tests, dialysis centres, 104 service, maintenance of medical apparatus and diagnostic services including X-ray have been handed over to corporate organisations in the name of e-UPHC. Recently, more services including cath lab have been ordered by Chandrababu to be taken under the umbrella of PPP (Public Private Partnership) system. MRI scanning machines and skill labs are also being planned to be transferred to private companies. Plans are being made to nominally call for tenders in the supervision of family welfare department but give away the project to their favoured companies.

Desk management privatised

Apart from medical treatments in hospitals, related multi-person support services (administration and management etc.) in medical college hospitals, district hospitals, area hospitals and social health centres have been decided by Chandrababu in the meeting conducted on the 22^nd of November, to be privatized in PPP system.