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The CPI has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to immediately release ₹3,000 crore towards the amount pending under the NTR Aarogyasri Health Scheme to the network hospitals. Delay in the release of pending dues was severely affecting medical services for the poor, CPI State secretary G. Eswarayya said in a letter addressed to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Mr. Eswarayya said due to non-payment of dues, the Aarogyasri services had been suspended in the network hospitals across the State for the past 14 days. The hospital managements had repeatedly sought the release of pending dues, and had even gone on strike twice in the past six months, but the government did not responded, he said. “This has left thousands of patients without essential treatment, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses,” he said, adding, “Network hospitals have reportedly informed patients that they will not provide services under the scheme unless payments are made, forcing poor families to bear high medical costs.” The CPI leader expressed concern that the government hospitals were unable to provide comprehensive healthcare due to staff shortage and lack of equipment, and the inaction on releasing funds undermined the State’s flagship health programme. Mr. Eswarayya urged the government to settle all pending Aarogyasri dues and take measures to restore medical services in the network hospitals.
