Healthy AP our top priority: CM

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday inaugurated the Swasthya Vidya Vahini, a health education and awareness programme, in the State with an objective of transforming the State into disease-free Andhra Pradesh.

At the inaugural function held at a private function hall near Dr NTR University of Health Sciences here, the Chief Minister interacted with the students and tried to motivate them to take active part in the mega campaign, Swasthya Vidya Vahini, in the State.

Speaking on the occasion, Naidu said Swasthya Vidya Vahini has been launched with an objective to create awareness among people on 10 themes in 10 months.

The staff of the Medical and Health Department, students as well as NGOs will take part in the campaign.

He said Andhra Pradesh government is giving top priority to achieve Swachh Andhra Pradesh and Healthy Andhra Pradesh where people can live free from diseases.

He said 446 teams were constituted in the State to create awareness on 10 themes Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH), environmental hygiene, communicable diseases, personal hygiene, anaemia, reproductive health, health and food habits, physical literacy, non-communicable diseases and substance abuse.

The students along with the staff of Medical and Health Department would visit mandals on the fourth Saturday of every month and take part in the awareness campaign on health and medical education.

The CM released books and posters published by the Department of Medical and Health and Family Welfare to mark the inauguration of Swasthya Vidya Vahini.

Addressing several hundreds of enthusiastic medical and para-medical students, the CM said, “Nothing is impossible.

You are the part of the biggest campaign in the world.

The Swasthya Vidya Vahini has been launched by AP government and you should create awareness on health and hygiene by visiting villages.

”
He said multi-disciplinary teams were constituted by the Medical and Health Department to reach the goal of Disease-Free Andhra Pradesh.

He said the average life expectancy has increased in the country in recent years with the rapid progress made by the nation in the field of health care.

Giving details of medical and health schemes being implemented by the State government, the Chief Minister said 275 Talli Bidda express vehicles are being used for the convenience of mothers and children and 277 Chandranna mobile vehicles are rendering services to the people.

He said Chandranna Sanchara vehicles comprising doctors, pharmacist, technician, nurses and other staff are doing good service to the people.

He pointed out that diagnostic tests are being conducted free of cost to the women aged over 35 years to identify the cases like breast cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, eyesight, thyroid problems etc and serious cases are
being referred to the bigger
hospitals.

Health Minister Dr Kamineni Srinivas said outpatients increased by 28 per cent and deliveries rose by eight per cent in the government hospitals due to the improved infrastructure facilities and the treatment provided at the government hospitals.

Minister for Water Resources Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Samuel Anand, Joint Collector Gandham Chandrudu, Sub-Collector Saloni Sidana and others were present.