Chittoor: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the expanded Sanjeevani healthcare programme in Kandriga village of Yadamari mandal in Chittoor district on Saturday, saying the initiative aims to eventually provide comprehensive healthcare services to people across the state.
Describing public health as one of the government's top priorities, Naidu said the programme is being implemented with focus on predictive, preventive, and curative healthcare under the concept of 'Health is Wealth'.
Naidu recounted that Sanjeevani was launched as a pilot project in Kuppam last year and has now been extended to the entire Chittoor district. The government plans to implement it across the state before August 15.
Under the programme, every individual will be provided with digital health record. The Chief Minister said the government is making arrangements to conduct 42 types of medical tests at the village level. AI-based medical advice, virtual consultations, and doctor follow-up services will also be introduced as part of the initiative. The government plans to introduce a "family doctor" system for every household in the future.
Naidu said health insurance coverage up to Rs 2.5 lakh is being provided to every citizen. In addition, medical assistance up to Rs 25 lakh would be extended through NTR Vaidya Seva and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for those requiring advanced treatment. The Chief Minister urged people to maintain good health through proper food habits, exercise, yoga, meditation and pranayama.
Promoting healthy living, he referred to the concept of 'Food as medicine, Kitchen as Pharmacy'. Naidu also spoke about developmental initiatives in Rayalaseema. He said the government is prioritising water resource projects such as Handri-Neeva, Galeru-Nagari and the Somasila-Swarnamukhi link canal to improve irrigation facilities in the region. The Chief Minister said the state government is also focusing on industries, data centres, drone cities, aerospace hubs, and food processing sectors in Rayalaseema. The region, he added, would be developed into a global horticulture hub. District Collector Sumit Kumar said the Sanjeevani Digital Nerve Centre call centre has so far conducted health follow-up services for around 73,000 people. The programme would be implemented more effectively with coordination among various departments to ensure continuous medical monitoring for every family.
Puthalapattu MLA K Murali Mohan and MP Daggumalla Prasada Rao said the programme would improve access to modern healthcare services in rural areas and help identify health problems at an early stage through digital records and AI-based systems.Tata Group CEO Girish Krishnamurthy said the Tata Digital Nerve Centre would help extend healthcare services even to remote areas.