Andhra Pradesh to Get 20 New Health Projects Including 8 Critical Care Blocks

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is set to witness a major boost in its public healthcare infrastructure with 20 new health projects, including eight critical care blocks (CCBs) and 12 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs), set to be made available for patients from next month. Each CCB project has been developed at a cost ranging between Rs 22.25 crore and Rs 23.75 crore, and each IPHL has been developed for Rs 1.25 crore. While the critical care blocks have been established to strengthen emergency and intensive care services at district hospitals, ensuring timely treatment for critically ill patients during pandemics, disasters and other public health emergencies, the Integrated Public Health Laboratories have been designed to strengthen disease surveillance and diagnostic capabilities.

“Civil works of eight CCBs and 12 IPHLs have been completed and will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Health JP Nadda along with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on July 9. The Union Minister will physically inaugurate the newly constructed Critical Care Block at the Old Government General Hospital (GGH), Vijayawada, while seven other CCBs and 12 IPHLs across various districts will be inaugurated virtually from the same venue,” health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav told TOI. The health minister said that the Centre has sanctioned 24 Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) and 26 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) for Andhra Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at an estimated cost of Rs 632.85 crore, with one facility planned in each district.

Officials stated that the projects proposed for inauguration represent an investment of Rs 203.50 crore. Of the sanctioned projects, civil works for eight Critical Care Blocks have been completed and are ready for commissioning. Similarly, all 26 IPHL buildings have been completed, with 14 laboratories already functional and the remaining 12 ready for inauguration.