AP expands healthcare for elderly

1.10 crore screenings in 2025-26

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh is expanding doorstep healthcare and rehabilitation services for senior citizens, with more than 1.10 crore health examinations conducted among people aged above 60 during 2025-26, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said on Wednesday. Releasing a statement ahead of the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, the Minister said the government was focusing on taking healthcare services to elderly people instead of waiting for them to visit hospitals. 

Services include medical consultations, health screening, physiotherapy and rehabilitation from the primary healthcare level to district hospitals. During 2026-27, the State has so far provided 52,79,669 OP, inpatient, physiotherapy and other services to elderly people, according to the Health Department. The government provides dedicated services for people above 60 at primary health centers every Thursday. 

Patients requiring advanced treatment are referred to higher-level hospitals. Dedicated geriatric wards have been established at district hospitals, while area hospitals have such facilities in places without district hospitals. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation services are also being provided to elderly people with mobility-related difficulties.

The assessment identified depression-related problems in 18.8% of those surveyed, frequent falls in 9.8%, memory-related problems in 7.5%, and a combination of memory problems and depression in 2.1%. A further 6.4% had more than one age-related health condition. Of the 1,10,01,508 health examinations conducted among elderly people in 2025-26, 6,12,601 were physiotherapy services. Multi-rehabilitation workers have also been instructed to visit at least five elderly people each week in areas near community health centers to provide physiotherapy and related services.

The government will conduct special programs across all districts throughout October focusing on healthy ageing, early detection of diseases, hypertension, mental health, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and geriatric care. The department said the information would be used to plan appropriate treatment and support. Minister Satyakumar said the month-long program was intended to improve awareness of government healthcare services and strengthen early identification and management of health and functional problems among senior citizens.