‘Construction of medical colleges should commence in a month’

Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to expand the Sanjeevani Project rapidly across the entire state. He called for special drives to control diseases 

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed officials to hand over the works of medical colleges proposed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model so that construction begins within a month. The Chief Minister instructed that Phase-1 works should commence immediately at four locations — Markapuram, Madanapalle, Pulivendula, and Adoni. He also made it clear that Phase-2 medical colleges at Amalapuram, Bapatla, Penukonda, Narsipatnam, Palakollu, and Parvathipuram should be completed on priority.

The Chief Minister also instructed the AYUSH Department to send a formal letter to the Union Government for setting up a National Institute of Naturopathy in Amaravati. These directions were issued during a review meeting on the Sanjeevani Project and Population Management held at the Secretariat on Wednesday. Officials informed the CM that, under the Sanjeevani Project so far, medical services have been provided to over 1.08 lakh people, medicines were distributed to 2.8 lakh people, and medical tests were conducted on 19,000 individuals.

Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to expand the Sanjeevani Project rapidly across the entire state. He called for special drives to control diseases like anaemia and diabetes. Highlighting the shift from population control to population protection, the Chief Minister said the state needs to take proactive steps in this direction. Officials informed him that the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Andhra Pradesh has declined from 2.1 to 1.5. Kadapa district recorded the highest fertility rate at 1.99, while Visakhapatnam district has the lowest at 1.32.

Chandrababu Naidu stated that the state should aim for a fertility rate of 2.1 and noted that the current rate is 6 per cent below the target. The CM observed that many people are falling ill due to unbalanced diets and instructed officials to promote nutritious food and preventive healthcare. He also called for encouraging Ayurveda and Naturopathy treatment systems. To ensure people remain in complete good health, the Chief Minister directed that hospitals should provide diet plans and nutritious food to patients based on their medical records.