VIJAYAWADA: Network Hospitals under the banner of the Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospitals Association (ASHA) have announced the temporary suspension of their strike after receiving firm assurances from the state government regarding the clearance of pending dues under the NTR Health Services Scheme.
According to ASHA State President Dr K Vijay Kumar, the government has committed to releasing approximately Rs 1,000 crore within the next 10 days and expressed readiness to clear an additional Rs 1,000 crore during the second quarter of the current financial year. A high-level meeting chaired by Principal Secretary for Health, Medical, and Family Welfare, Saurabh Gaur, was held to discuss the implementation of the scheme and settlement of arrears.
The government assured that monthly hospital bills ranging from Rs 150 crore to Rs 170 crore would be cleared regularly.
Additionally, a committee comprising ASHA representatives, government officials, and other stakeholders will be formed to draft guidelines for the implementation of a Universal Health Scheme. ASHA clarified that the strike has only been suspended temporarily, citing past experiences.
The association urged the government to ensure that the promised Rs 1,000 crore is credited to hospital accounts within the stipulated 10 days to avoid further disruptions.
Dr Vijay Kumar emphasised that ASHA remains committed to supporting all government initiatives related to public health and welfare, but warned that protests are undertaken only under unavoidable circumstances.
The association expressed hope that such situations would not recur in the future. Senior officials, including Finance Secretary Ronald Rose, Deputy Secretary Suraj Ganore, ASHA representatives, and hospital administrators, were present.