HYDERABAD: A book titled Aarogyam-Prajala Pradhamika Hakku (Health-Primary right of the people) criticised the State government over the handling of its flagship health plan, Aarogyasri. It claims that under the programme, the money is being paid for surgeries at corporate hospitals, benefiting them greatly.
The book, which analyses the healthcare system in the State, was launched at a press conference, here on Sunday. It was published by Telangana Vidyavanthula Vedika (TVV). The author is Dr P Jagadeshwar, a gynecologist.
“Yearly, Rs 1,000 crore is spent on Aarogyasri and surgeries are done in corporate hospitals. Only one per cent of Telangana’s population utilise Aarogyasri. The total money which is supposed to be spent on the State’s population is spent one per cent of population. Even that benefits corporate hospitals. If the government is really interested in health care, it should give the the funds, so as to benefit everyone,” Dr Jagadeshwar said, on the sidelines of the press conference.
The author of the book said that the book has details on how people in some tribal and rural areas still use ancient medicine while advanced medicine is being practised in cities which is out of their reach. He added that there is priority on the curative system in Primary Health Care system except vaccination programmes.
“This book has information on state of health system in Telangana. Good health care should be provided in the State. As proper facilities are not available at Primary Health Centres (PHC), private hospitals are opted,” M Kodandaram, chairman of Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) said.