CM Naidu privatises colleges while centre funds public health

Tadepalli, September 25: Former Minister Sake Sailajanath accused Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of risking public health by privatising newly established government medical colleges, even as the Central Cabinet has committed Rs 15,000 crore under the Universal Health Coverage Programme to strengthen public medical infrastructure. He said the Centre is working to expand healthcare access, while the AP coalition government is dismantling it for vested interests.

Speaking at the party central office in Tadepalli, Sailajanath called the move a “shameful betrayal” of the poor and middle classes. He alleged that Naidu’s governance has always revolved around handing over public assets to private cronies, this time at the cost of medical education and healthcare.

He pointed out that the Central Cabinet’s scheme was designed to ensure a government medical college in every district, but the coalition government is undermining this vision by pushing institutions into private hands. As an example, he noted that the government medical college at Paderu, established by former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to serve tribal communities, was also being brought under privatisation, depriving Adivasi children of opportunities.

Sailajanath also criticised TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh for using abusive language in the Assembly when asked about the issue. “If colleges go to private hands, how will poor and middle-class families survive?” he questioned, assuring that YSRCP will restore government control once back in power.

He further condemned Minister Satya Kumar for defending privatisation with “lies,” saying he was acting more like a BJP spokesman than a minister of Andhra Pradesh.