Medical services under Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva to remain suspended until dues are cleared

The Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospitals’ Association (ASHA) once again suspended all health services being extended to people belonging to weaker economic backgrounds under Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva from Wednesday (April 1) as dues continue to remain unpaid by the State government.

The association had discontinued services in April and October 2025 as well, citing the same reason. The association also expressed disappointment at the budgetary allocation of ₹4,000 crore for the scheme, stating that it was too low.

Over 600 private and 200 government network hospitals in the State provide cashless treatments to people under the scheme, which was earlier known as Aarogyasri. The treatment cost is reimbursed by the government.

In response to the strike call given by ASHA, all private network hospitals have in principle agreed to participate in the strike, said ASHA vice-president S.V.L. Narayana Rao. But, clarity about how many of them actually participated in the strike on the first day will emerge later, he said.

“Patients already admitted to hospitals will continue to receive treatments, but no new registrations will be accepted. All emergency and outpatient services have been suspended,” Dr. Narayana Rao added.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust on March 26, the members wrote that the pending dues increased from ₹2,600 crore to ₹3,000 crore, and that despite assurances to them about time-bound payment, no progress was made. The prolonged delay is severely impacting hospital operations and public health services, they said, adding that they would have no option but to go on a strike from April 1 if there was no response from the government.

In addition to the financial strain, the network hospitals have also repeatedly requested a revision of prices of health services offered under the scheme. During a press conference held earlier this month, they said it was unfair on the part of the government to expect the hospitals to provide services to people at rates fixed in 2007.

On Wednesday, ASHA members were called for the first round of talks with the government. But, ASHA president K. Vijay Kumar, who was part of the talks, said nothing concrete had come out.

“The government has offered to pay ₹1,000 crore over the next ten days and another ₹1,000 the next month. But similar assurances were made in the past and nothing was done about it,” Dr. Vijay Kumar said, adding that the network hospitals are demanding written assurances from the government. Until the initial payment is made, health services will continue to remain suspended in all private network hospitals in the State, he added.

Meanwhile, the Universal Health Coverage, which was to be launched from April 1, has been deferred by 3-4 months. Earlier, ASHA members had vowed to not participate in the scheme until their concerns were addressed.