It was an incredibly ambitious health plan by the then ruling YSRCP Government in Andhra Pradesh during 2021 to lay the foundation for 17 new government medical colleges.
Recovering from the trauma of COVID, it was then CM Jagan Mohan Reddy's vision to set up a medical college in every district to bring super specialty medicare available to everyone where they live.
COVID effect:
Not to forget, the Andhra Pradesh Government did exceptionally well compared to other states in handling COVID.
It was from experience that Jagan Mohan Reddy has realized that government hospitals showed resilience and stepped up when private hospitals were struggling to handle and treat patients under the dire circumstances of COVID.
This has created a strong desire to amplify the public medicare facilities, by not just bringing up new colleges, ensuring these colleges serve as a central hub by housing new specialty hospitals but also anchors with other government hospitals, Primary Health clinics, and Village clinics, thereby building an integrated network of real top-down coordination effort.
Progress of Work:
Out of 17 colleges, 7 were completed, and 5 colleges began admissions during 2023-2025 and set out to add 2,550 additional seats when completed by 2027.
The entire project was funded through a mix of centrally sponsored schemes, NABARD, and special assistance from the Government of India.
Irrational decision:
We have seen hotels, SEZ’s , seaports and airports etc, being brought under PPP Mode, but the ruling TDP Govt in Andhra Pradesh's decision to convert these medical colleges into PPP (Public-Private Partnership) is never heard of and has drawn wide criticism from different sections of society.
If the Government's reason for doing this was to reduce the financial burden on the state, which implies that they have then pushed the burden on to public, affecting affordability, opportunity, and social responsibility towards the merit and disadvantaged sections of society.
When APCRDA's decision to call tenders worth 50,000 crores for the Amaravathi Capital region development is not a burden to the state where out of which 8000 crores worth of tenders were called only for infrastructure development like Roads, Drains, etc..
While a part of that amount is enough to complete these remaining 10 medical colleges spanning across 10 districts, thereby bringing overall development of the state.
Instead, the government has shifted its priorities and chosen self-interest over public interest.
Why It Matters:
When a Private entity is involved, there will always be some kind of profit motive behind it, which may hinder the public interest.
When the majority of the work, including permissions, clearances, land allocation has been done and construction is in progress, it wouldn't make sense to hand this at this stage to a private entity.
Most of the prestigious medical institutions in the country are government colleges, the reason being the fee structure. They are far less expensive than many private colleges, making it highly competitive to get a seat, thereby leaving seats to the brightest of the bright and helps in bringing affordable quality education within everybody’s reach.
Secondly, it’s a comprehensive plan to integrate them with other hospitals in the district demands social responsibility and commitment which may be in doubt with a private entity in arms.
Whom It Matters:
Late PM Jawahar Lal Nehru once said, "Dams are temples of Modern India," but in today’s world, “Educational Institutions are temples of modern society”.
Lot of aspiring young doctors have been forced to study abroad like Russia, Philippines, China etc due to shortage of affordable medical seats.
This move will bring a sign of relief to them. This can not be treated as just another infrastructure project instead it's a comprehensive health plan aimed at bringing and upgrading overall health facilities.
It is our collective responsibility to champion and protect these institutions as they are crucial in providing opportunities and making quality education affordable for all.
It is not rhetoric but real. Any such move by the government will impact future generations, as this is a matter of education, health, and public policy.
When Society by and large has opposed this idea it is moral responsibility of the government withdraws its proposal.
Dheeraj Pola, Phoenix, AZ
