Setting up of 1,760 village health clinics in A.P. under way: Health Minister Satya Kumar

Health Minister announces plans for new village health clinics and PHCs to improve healthcare accessibility and infrastructure.

VIJAYAWADA

Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar said in the Legislative Assembly on Monday that the government was in the process of establishing 1,760 village health clinics under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission and another 1,500 with the 15th Finance Commission funds later to improve the accessibility to health care services. 

Replying to a question by Jana Sena Party (JSP) MLA Panchakarla Ramesh Babu on the construction of a new Primary Health Centre (PHC) building at Sabbavaram in his constituency, Mr. Satya Kumar said the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government had launched the Nadu-Nedu programme with much fanfare but the construction of a large number of PHCs remained incomplete and that the NDA government was resuming them in a phased manner keeping in view its financial constraints. 

He explained that during the previous government’s tenure, construction of a PHC began at Sabbavaram at an estimated cost of ₹1.04 crore with Central government funds but the contractor completed works worth only ₹24 lakh and kept the remaining work pending due to the non-payment of bills. No contractors came forward thereafter to take it up because of the fear of non-payment of the bills. The present government decided to construct a new PHC there, and it would soon invite tenders for the same.

Proposals to upgrade Community Health Centres would be considered, the Minister added, while suggesting to the members to get minor works done in PHCs by mobilising donations if possible as the government was struggling with meagre finances. The government would, however, give due priority to major works.