In a recent address to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Medical and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav proudly declared a significant surge in both the number of beneficiaries and the financial outlay for the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme during the first year of the NDA coalition government’s tenure.
Addressing opposition claims that the scheme had been put on hold, Minister Satya Kumar dismissed them as baseless and misleading. He unequivocally stated, “The Aarogyasri scheme has not been stalled; only its name has been changed.”
During a Question Hour session, in response to an inquiry by Mohammed Nazir, Mr. Satya Kumar revealed that the number of individuals receiving free medical services through Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva had increased by 6.68% in the 2024–25 fiscal year. The total beneficiaries reached 13,42,673, up from 12,53,065 in 2023–24. This translates to nearly 90,000 additional patients treated in the first year of the NDA government’s term alone.
The government’s authorized expenditure, managed through pre-authorization, also saw a notable rise of 7.88% during this period. From June 2024 to September 1, 2025, the estimated total spent on free health services reached an impressive ₹6,458 crore. Of this, ₹4,290.05 crore was allocated for 2024–25, with ₹3,732.22 crore already disbursed. An outstanding balance of ₹557.83 crore remains, while bills amounting to ₹2,168 crore are currently under review.
Minister Satya Kumar emphasized that the government not only broadened the scope of the scheme but also diligently cleared all pending dues inherited from the previous administration. The NDA government successfully settled ₹2,221.60 crore owed to network hospitals by the former dispensation. Additionally, ₹18.77 crore in arrears was cleared for the Guntur Government General Hospital under the scheme, with a further ₹4.09 crore still pending.
Enhanced Cancer Care
To bolster cancer care services, a cutting-edge PET-CT scanner has been installed, elevating the Guntur Government General Hospital to a Level-1 Cancer Centre. The Minister also noted that funds have been specifically allocated for advanced equipment to support the construction of a new Maternal and Child Health (MCH) block, significantly boosted by alumni contributions.
Reiterating his rejection of claims that the scheme had failed, Mr. Satya Kumar denounced what he called “malicious propaganda” designed to deter people from accessing vital free medical care. He stressed that the comprehensive data unequivocally disproved such falsehoods, asserting that some individuals were deliberately spreading misinformation for political gain.
Upcoming Health Insurance Innovations
Looking ahead, the Minister unveiled plans for the government to introduce a new hybrid health insurance scheme in the near future, aiming to provide comprehensive coverage for all residents of the State. He explained that approximately 1.43 crore families living below the poverty line, along with 20 lakh families just above it, would receive insurance coverage up to ₹2.5 lakh through private insurance companies. For medical expenses exceeding this limit, up to ₹25 lakh, the government would directly cover the costs through the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust.