The state government has decided to construct village clinics in 4,472 villages across AP in its own buildings, at a cost of Rs 1,129 crore. Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav has directed that the construction work be completed within a year. He said that the center is providing 80 percent of the total cost required for the construction work.
Of these, he said that the construction work of 2,309 buildings, which were taken up by the previous government and remained incomplete due to delay in the release of funds, will be completed. Similarly, Minister Satyakumar said that the construction work of another 2,163 new buildings will be taken up with PM-Abhim and 15th Finance Commission funds.
He revealed that 284 village clinics will be constructed in Srikakulam district, 272 in Nandyal district, 263 in Eluru district, and 242 in Konaseema district. 240 in Krishna district, 239 in Alluri Seetharamaraju district, 229 in Chittoor district, 211 in Bapatla district, 205 in Parvathipuram Manyam district, 203 each in Prakasam and Nellore districts, and 200 new buildings will be constructed in Anakapalle district.
The minister said that another 1,379 new buildings are to be constructed in the state at a cost of Rs 753 crore and that proposals are being prepared to undertake these with the funds of the 16th Finance Commission. The previous government had brought in Village Health Clinics with the aim of providing medical services in rural areas across the state.
It allocated funds of Rs. 16 lakhs for the construction of each building. But it could not be completed during the five years of its rule. Most of them remained incomplete. As a result, the goal was watered down. The construction of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Village Health Clinic) has stalled here and there across the state.
As a result, in some villages, dilapidated rooms are being used, and in other places, they are being operated in rented buildings. The villagers are receiving only limited services. Even though the work has been completed in some places, the centers are not opening due to the lack of local staff and the lack of timely arrival from other areas.
“We will bring radical changes in the medical and health department, which was converted into the health department by the previous government, and work to provide AIIMS-style medical services in all government hospitals from rural areas to the capital. We will improve medical services by bringing additional funds from the center. We will work towards providing corporate-style medical care to the poor free of charge in government hospitals. We will bring cutting-edge changes in the medical sector with technology,” he added.
