Andhra Health Minister Firmly Rejects Privatisation Claims, Champions PPP Model for Enhanced Healthcare

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Vidadala Rajini has vehemently rejected claims made by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who alleged that the current government is privatising medical colleges through its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Speaking with unwavering conviction, Minister Rajini asserted that these accusations are not only unfounded but also stem from a deliberate attempt to mislead the public for political gain.

Minister Rajini meticulously clarified that the PPP model adopted by the N.

Chandrababu Naidu-led government is exclusively designed to enhance healthcare infrastructure and services, particularly in super-speciality care and advanced diagnostic facilities. "There is absolutely no question of privatising medical colleges," she declared. "The ownership and administration of all medical colleges and their attached teaching hospitals will remain firmly with the state government.

Our objective is to leverage private sector efficiency to bring top-tier medical services closer to the common man, especially the poor, without burdening the state exchequer excessively."

She further elaborated that the initiative focuses on areas where specialized expertise and state-of-the-art equipment are crucial.

By partnering with private entities, the government aims to establish and upgrade super-speciality wings and diagnostic centres within existing government medical colleges and hospitals. This strategic collaboration is intended to bridge critical gaps in healthcare provision, ensuring that patients receive advanced treatments and accurate diagnoses that might otherwise be inaccessible or require costly referrals to private institutions.

In a sharp counter-attack, Minister Rajini reminded the public and the opposition that the YSR Congress Party government, under Jagan Mohan Reddy himself, had previously considered and even initiated similar proposals for a PPP model in the healthcare sector.

"It is rather ironic that those who once explored these very avenues are now criticising them with such fervor," she remarked, highlighting what she views as political hypocrisy. She challenged the opposition to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to baseless propaganda.

The minister underscored the broader benefits of the PPP approach, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize medical education and patient care in Andhra Pradesh.

She highlighted that it would not only provide better learning opportunities for medical students through exposure to advanced facilities and diverse cases but also elevate the overall standard of healthcare services available to the populace. This model, according to Rajini, is a forward-thinking solution to meet the growing demands for specialized medical attention while ensuring affordability and accessibility for all sections of society.

Rajini concluded by reaffirming the government's unwavering commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure and making quality medical care a reality for every citizen of Andhra Pradesh.

She urged the public not to be swayed by what she termed as politically motivated misinformation, assuring them that the government's actions are solely guided by the welfare of the state.