The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : ‘Arogya Sri’ to be implemented soon

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Saturday, Sep 01, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

‘Arogya Sri’ to be implemented soon

Staff Reporter

Scheme will be extended to Chittoor from November 1

TIRUPATI: The much-touted ‘Arogya Sri’ scheme, presently implemented in three districts on a pilot basis, will be extended to Chittoor from November 1. 332 camps have been conducted during the last 152 days in Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and Srikakulam districts where the scheme is under implementation.

4,272 surgeries have been performed on poor patients, the Minister for Medical Education and Health Insurance, Galla Arunakumari, has said.

High spending

At a media conference here on Friday, she pointed out that the Government was spending Rs. 5,000 on each patient towards screening charges, which she maintained would go a long way in extending social security cover to the unaffordable lot.

Though 67,000 surgeries had been performed with Rs. 178 crore from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in the last three years, she said that the spending was definitely on the higher side under ‘Arogya Sri’. The Minister announced that dedicated young men and women with degree qualification would be appointed on a consolidated pay of Rs. 3,500 per month as health volunteers in PHCs, who would act as a bridge between the medical fraternity and the patients.

Speaking on the ailing SV Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati , Ms. Arunakumari announced that an action plan was being prepared to rejuvenate the hospital and a meeting with the TTD top-brass would be held soon to sort out certain vital issues.

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