‘Sanjeevani’ health program roll out across state from January 1

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh will conduct a statewide trial run of the ‘Sanjeevani’ integrated healthcare programme from December 10 and implement it fully from January 1, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said on Friday. Launching 71 health chariots for Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts from Dharmavaram on the occasion of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay’s birth anniversary, the minister said the program was designed to connect health screening with diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

The health chariots will provide 41 types of medical tests free of cost, including tests for diabetes, blood parameters, kidney and liver functions. The minister said tests that normally cost between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 would also be covered. Reports would be sent to beneficiaries through phone or WhatsApp within 48 hours. Under Sanjeevani, every individual will have a digital health profile containing medical history, previous test results, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood group, treatment received and medicines being taken. Details of doctors’ advice, appointments, medication and follow-up tests will also be linked to the profile.

The system will also link patients with the appropriate healthcare facilities. Coordinators have been arranged at more than 2,000 hospitals across the State, while ASHA workers and ANMs will follow up with people whose tests indicate health concerns. They will guide patients on hospitals, doctors and appointments and monitor treatment and medication after consultations. The government plans to deploy 933 health chariots across Andhra Pradesh. The vehicles will visit villages, conduct tests and register health information before linking beneficiaries to further medical care.

The minister said Sanjeevani had initially been introduced in Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Kuppam constituency before being extended to hospitals and primary health centres in Chittoor and Kurnool districts and later to Giddalur and Gannavaram areas.

The program aims to identify diseases at an early stage rather than wait until they become severe, thereby reducing the financial burden of illness on families, the minister said. He said the program was named after the Sanjeevani herb associated with saving lives in the Ramayana. The minister said the health chariots would be integrated with the Sanjeevani platform from January 1 as part of the state-wide rollout.