*YSRCP flays coalition for neglecting medicare*

Tadepalli, May 15: YSRCP has slammed the coalition government for its negligence towards medicare and the upkeep of hospitals, stating that people are now scared to visit government hospitals as the situation continues to deteriorate.
Speaking to the media here on Friday, YSRCP NTR district president Devineni Avinash said the incident at Vijayawada Government General Hospital exposed the gross neglect of the medical system and hospital maintenance by the coalition government.
He said the incident in which an amputated leg of a patient was dragged away by a pack of dogs showed the shocking condition in which government hospitals are being maintained.
“The Chief Minister, his son, and the Medical and Health Minister are not bothered about the upkeep of hospitals. Vijayawada GGH has become a nightmare for poor patients, who are now afraid to come there for treatment,” he said.
Avinash alleged that despite repeated requests and the urgent need for ventilators at Vijayawada GGH, they have not been provided so far. He added that even the air-conditioning system is not functioning properly and the coalition government has no concern for poor patients.
He said that during the tenure of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, hospitals were well maintained and healthcare services functioned efficiently. Even during the Covid pandemic, the medicare system worked effectively and provided relief to the needy, he added.
After the coalition assumed office, the healthcare system along with welfare and development schemes had collapsed, he alleged. Aarogyasri had been weakened, placing a heavy burden on poor patients, he said.
He further stated that farmers were not getting MSP and were facing severe hardships, while students, youth, women, and other sections of society felt cheated as none of the promised welfare schemes were being implemented. At the same time, the welfare initiatives introduced by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy were being scrapped, he alleged.
Avinash also demanded that the hike in fuel prices be checked. He said the promise made by Nara Lokesh that fuel charges would not be increased had failed, and added that as a partner in the NDA at the Centre, the TDP should exert pressure for a rollback of fuel prices.