AP To Have Monthly Swarna Andhra Population Management Drive

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called for a mass movement to strengthen public health in Andhra Pradesh and directed elected representatives and officials to actively engage with people from April.

At the review meeting on the Sanjeevani project held here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister announced that every fourth Saturday will be observed as ‘Swarna Andhra Population Management Day’. On this day, gram sabhas, health camps and awareness programs will be conducted at the village level to promote preventive healthcare and early diagnosis.

Naidu asked MPs, MLAs, district collectors and health officials to take these initiatives directly to the people, emphasizing that improving public health outcomes requires collective participation. It has set an ambitious target of providing medical tests to 56.40 lakh people within a year.

The results should be communicated directly to the beneficiaries via WhatsApp within 48 hours, he said.

Officials informed the Prime Minister that 904 mobile health units will be required to achieve this target; This required an expenditure of ₹ 162 crore and the Prime Minister gave immediate approval to it. So far, 3.14 lakh people have registered in the Sanjeevani Digital Nerve Center database.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of keeping up-to-date personal health records and focusing on preventive healthcare to reduce future medical expenses. He argued that lifestyle practices such as yoga, nutrition, meditation and pranayama are essential tools in solving many health problems. He also instructed officials to assess improvements in public health indicators in Chittoor district, where the Sanjeevani project has already been successfully implemented.

Naidu reiterated that the project, currently operational in Chittoor, Kuppam and Naravaripalle, should be expanded across the state by July.

The Prime Minister also announced plans to introduce a comprehensive AP Health Management Policy based on five pillars – motherhood, empowerment, skill development, welfare and Sanjeevani. A universal health policy to be implemented through the NTR Vaidya Seva Foundation is also being considered and several insurance companies have expressed interest in participating.

Discussions were also held on the establishment of medical faculties with the public-private partnership model. Naidu said vacancies in the health department should be filled immediately through rationalization and called for integration of pharmacy networks and laboratory services.

He emphasized that cesarean births should only be performed in cases of medical necessity or emergency, as recommended by healthcare professionals, and that normal births should be given priority. He said any situation where caesarean section procedures exceed 20 percent should be subject to inspection.

Among those present at the review meeting were Health Minister Satya Yadav, Chief Secretary Vijayanand and Health Minister Saurabh Gaur.