VIJAYAWADA: Network hospitals under the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust called off their 21-day strike on Friday, and resumed services statewide, following successful negotiations with the Andhra Pradesh government.
The breakthrough came after Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav assured the Andhra Pradesh Super Speciality Hospitals Association (ASHA) of immediate financial relief, and a permanent solution to its long-pending dues.
The government has committed to releasing Rs 250 crore by November 15 as a third tranche of payment, while agreeing to a One-Time Settlement (OTS) mechanism to clear the remaining Rs 2,500 crore dues, ideally by the end of November.
A Joint Committee with ASHA representatives will also be formed to formulate the upcoming Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policy, and revise the Request for Proposal (RFP) for fair, transparent, and sustainable operations. The agreement was reached during a crucial meeting at the Health Minister’s chamber in the State Secretariat, attended by ASHA leaders and NTR Vaidya Seva Trust CEO Dinesh Kumar.
“I have discussed the dues issue with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He is fully committed to a permanent solution to the issue via OTS. Until then, I will ensure another Rs 250 crore is released. ASHA will be a stakeholder in UHC decisions. We are deploying 50 doctors on a war footing to scrutinise pending bills. With the government’s positive stance, resume services immediately in the interest of patients,” the Minister said.
ASHA expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, the Health Minister, NTR Vaidya Seva Vice-Chairman S Sudhakar, CEO Dinesh Kumar, and Principal Secretaries of Finance and Health for their “proactive and empathetic response.”
ASHA praises members for ‘unity & peseverance’
ASHA also thanked senior doctors, including Dr Ramesh, Dr Bollineni Bhaskar Rao, Dr Ganni Bhaskar Rao, along with allied bodies like APNA and GDA, for forming a Joint Action Council that unified the medical fraternity.
After the NDA came to power, a total of Rs 4,143 crore has been paid to network hospitals, including Rs 2,403.92 crore legacy dues from the previous YSRCP regime, and Rs 1,739.28 crore for services during the current term.
Prior to Friday’s agreement, Rs 488 crore was already released in two installments under Satya Kumar’s initiative after the NTR Vaidya Seva services were suspended on October 10.
The ASHA Executive Committee, in a special note, praised its members for “unity and perseverance,” stating, “Your collective voice has secured a stronger, and more sustainable healthcare partnership with the government.”
