Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav. File
| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
Andhra Pradesh’s Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav informed the Legislative Council on Thursday that significant initiatives had been taken to improve healthcare delivery across the State, including modernisation of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and strengthening the Urban Health Centres (UHCs).
Giving a reply during the Question Hour, Mr. Satya Kumar said the government was investing ₹194 crore for development of 100 PHCs. While the previous administration (of the YSRCP) had given only administrative approval, the coalition NDA government launched construction works. Of these, 88 PHCs would get new buildings and 12 were being upgraded.
Fund sources
Funds were sanctioned under the 15th Finance Commission and the Prime Minister’s Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). “Works are being executed by the Roads & Buildings Department and the Andhra Pradesh Medical Services & Infrastructure Development Corporation,” he said
Mr. Satya Kumar said 2,600 staff vacancies in the PHCs had been filled. “Each PHC now conducts 62 types of diagnostic tests and supplies 172 varieties of medicines free of cost. About ₹11.71 lakh is allocated annually to each centre for medicines, surgicals, and essentials, ensuring better access to rural patients,” he said.
On UHCs, he said 560 centres were operational across the State, catering largely to the urban slums and backward areas. “Of the 3,920 sanctioned posts, 344 are vacant, and recruitment is underway,” he said.
In 2023–24, the UHCs had served 69.54 lakh patients, and the number increased to 73.67 lakh in 2024–25. These centres provide free access to 63 laboratory tests and 175 medicines. Between 2020–21 and 2024–25, the government had spent ₹10,341.81 crore under the National Health Mission.
Cancer screening
Referring to cancer prevalence, the Minister said 73,000 new cases and 42,000 deaths were reported in 2022–23. “To counter this, a screening drive covering 4.1 crore people will be launched to detect early symptoms and raise awareness, with ANMs and field staff leading the campaign,” he said.
Published – September 18, 2025 07:04 pm IST
