Health Minister Reports Surge in Beneficiaries, Spending Under NTR Vaidya Seva

Fast Summary

• Andhra Pradesh Health minister Satya kumar Yadav announced significant growth in beneficiaries and expenditure under the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme during the NDA government’s first-year term.
• The number of patients benefiting from free medical services increased by 6.68% to 13,42,673 in 2024-25 compared to 12,53,065 in 2023-24.
• The government’s expenditure for free health services rose by 7.88%, reaching ₹6,458 crore from June 2024 to September 1, 2025. ₹3,732.22 crore has been released for the year; ₹557.83 crore remains pending.
• Backlogs inherited from previous administrations were addressed with ₹2,221.60 crore cleared for hospitals and other arrears also settled.
• A PET-CT scanner was installed at Guntur Government General Hospital as part of cancer care advancements; it is indeed now designated as a Level-1 Cancer Centre.
• Plans were shared about a hybrid health insurance scheme covering all residents of Andhra Pradesh:

– Up to ₹2.5 lakh coverage via insurance companies for approximately 1.43 crore below-poverty-line families and another 20 lakh families above it.
– For expenses exceeding that amount (up to ₹25 lakh), costs will be borne by the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The updates on healthcare initiatives reflect Andhra Pradesh’s commitment toward enhancing public medical services under the current NDA administration. Growth figures regarding beneficiary numbers (+6%) and financial outlays (+7%) suggest robust utilization and resource allocation within schemes like Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva despite political contention surrounding its restructuring.

Clearing backlogs inherited from prior governance also indicates an effort toward systemic financial stability-critical for sustaining confidence among hospitals participating in state healthcare programs.

New infrastructure developments such as advanced imaging tools underscore a focus on improving cancer treatment capabilities locally while broadening accessibility through upcoming hybrid insurance models could address gaps faced by vulnerable populations unable to afford high-cost treatments beyond initial limits.

Challenges might persist given pending bills (₹2,168 crore under scrutiny), but openness regarding this data strengthens accountability measures overall.

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