Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently voiced significant alarm regarding the surge in Caesarean (C-section) deliveries across the state, noting that a staggering 90% of these procedures take place in private hospitals. During a legislative discussion on the Medical and Health Department, Mr. Naidu strongly condemned the practice of scheduling surgeries based on auspicious timings, or muhurthams, calling it medically unjustified and unethical.
He instructed Health Minister Satya Kumar to engage with private healthcare facilities to ensure that C-sections are performed only when medically essential, emphasizing a strong preference for natural childbirth. “It’s deeply concerning that we lead the nation in C-sections, and this is certainly not an achievement to be proud of. Nature intended for women to give birth naturally, and unnecessary surgical interventions must be avoided,” he stated.
Referencing a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the Chief Minister highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s substantial local medical officer presence, with approximately 115,000 doctors serving the population. He noted the national average life expectancy of 70 years and the state’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 30, alongside an impressive 97% immunization coverage. “Our core priorities include ensuring safe childbirth, equitable access to healthcare, and fostering a truly Healthy Andhra Pradesh,” he affirmed.
PPP model for Medical Colleges
Mr. Naidu also defended the state government’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for medical colleges. He clarified that this approach is not about privatization but rather a strategy to accelerate infrastructure development and guarantee healthcare accessibility for economically disadvantaged populations. He mentioned that states like Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand are already implementing similar PPP models. Under this system, outpatient (OP) services, medications, and treatments will remain free for beneficiaries of schemes like NTR Arogya Seva and Ayushman Bharat. He further added that ownership of these colleges would revert to the government after 33 years.
Since the state’s bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh has significantly boosted its medical seat capacity, adding 1,819 new seats. This includes 607 seats in the 2024–25 academic year under the current coalition government, a notable increase compared to the 452 seats added by the previous YSRCP government between 2019 and 2024. The revised policy now allocates 75 convener quota seats per college to underprivileged students, up from 64 previously, totaling an additional 110 seats statewide. “Our ultimate goal is to establish a Healthy Andhra Pradesh, equipped with medical infrastructure that surpasses even WHO’s stringent standards,” he concluded.