HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government’s recent decision to bar people under the NTR Arogyasri Welfare Scheme from undergoing cardiac treatment at hospitals in Hyderabad has annoyed cardiologists in the state.
Members of the Cardiology Society of India’s Telangana Chapter (CSITS) have come forward to send a representation to the health minister of AP soon seeking lifting of the ban.
They would try to drive home the point that health care should not be looked at from an administrative or a revenue building perspective, they said.
The welfare scheme for patients falling in the Below Poverty Line category has been helpful and has benefited lakhs.
“At least 70 per cent people from Rayalaseema and Andhra come to Hyderabad for treatment. They have a long-standing follow-up with doctors and come back to the same place for treatment. This unreasonable move will deprive many people of health care,” said Dr Sridhar Kasturi, president, CSITS.
The GO issued by the AP government, according to the cardiologists, has not reached the people.
One individual, who was brought in with the support of eight family members, came to realise that he cannot use the Arogyasri card and had to pay in cash. At that moment, the family decided to sell off the wife’s jewellery.
“We see incidents such as these on daily basis and it is unfair to strip people, especially those who do not have access to primary health care, of their choice to seek treatment from a doctor they trust,” said Dr Sharat Chandra, a senior cardiologist.
While there is no explanation from the AP government for the move, the cardiologists pointed that Karnataka government’s Vajpayee Arogyasri allows people to travel to Hyderabad for treatment.
“The GO allows cardiac surgeries on those aged under 18. This selective welfare is not right,” said Dr Kasturi.