Naidu announces monthly health drives, wants to roll out ‘Sanjeevani’ project by July

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday (March 31) called for a mass movement to strengthen preventive healthcare across the State and declared that every fourth Saturday will be observed as ‘Swarna Andhra Population Management Day’. He also wants to roll out the ‘Sanjeevani’ project by July.

Reviewing the Sanjeevani project at his camp office, the Chief Minister directed MPs, MLAs, Collectors and medical officials to actively engage with people from April through village meetings, health camps and awareness programmes to improve public health outcomes.

Emphasising preventive care, Mr. Naidu set a target to conduct medical tests for 5.64 million people in a year and instructed officials to ensure that test results are delivered to beneficiaries via WhatsApp within 48 hours.

Officials informed him that 904 mobile medical units would be required for the initiative, with an estimated cost of ₹162 crore, which received the Chief Minister’s approval. So far, 3.14 lakh people have been registered in the Sanjeevani digital database.

The Chief Minister also stressed the need for regularly updated personal health records and highlighted that adopting practices like yoga, proper nutrition, meditation and pranayama can significantly reduce future health risks.

Mr. Naidu directed officials to study improvements in public health in Chittoor district, where the project is already being implemented in Kuppam and Naravaripalle, and replicate successful models across the State.

He also asked officials to prepare a comprehensive ‘A.P. Health Management Policy’ based on five pillars—Maternity, Strength, Skill, Welfare and Sanjeevani.

The Chief Minister reviewed plans for a Universal Health Policy through the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust, with officials stating that several insurance companies are willing to partner under the initiative.

He also discussed establishing medical colleges under the public-private partnership model and directed officials that vacancies in the Health Department should be filled promptly through rationalisation.

Mr. Naidu emphasised the integration of pharmacy networks and laboratory services and said that Caesarean deliveries should be conducted only when medically necessary. If, however, such cases exceed 20%, audits must be carried out, he told the officials.

The review meeting was attended by Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, Chief Secretary Sai Prasad and senior officials from the Health Department.