The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a comprehensive health screening programme aimed at early detection and prevention of diseases, marking a significant shift from the existing treatment-focused model to a preventive healthcare approach. The initiative, cleared by Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav on Wednesday, comes with an annual outlay of Rs 162.72 crore and is expected to benefit around 56.4 lakh people across the state.
Scope of the Programme
Under the initiative, identified individuals will undergo 47 types of diagnostic tests through 104 mobile medical units (MMUs). The programme targets those identified as at risk in the non-communicable diseases (NCD) survey, as well as students residing in welfare hostels. Officials stated that the upgraded system will conduct extensive testing across 11 categories, including liver function, renal function, lipid profile, blood counts, glucose levels, and electrolyte balance. This marks a substantial improvement over the current system, where 104 services conduct only six basic tests using rapid kits, often with limited diagnostic accuracy and without generating structured health records.
Key Features
A key feature of the programme is the creation of individual disease profiles and electronic health records, enabling continuous monitoring and personalised medical advice. Under the Sanjeevani framework, beneficiaries will receive guidance on immediate precautions and long-term disease prevention. The service provider operating 904 MMUs will equip each vehicle with advanced diagnostic equipment such as semi-automatic biochemistry analysers, CBC machines, microscopes, and incubators. Each unit is expected to screen about 20 individuals per day, covering roughly 520 people per month.
Implementation Timeline
Describing the initiative as a significant step in safeguarding public health, Minister Satya Kumar Yadav directed officials to expedite its rollout. Authorities indicated that efforts are underway to launch the programme within the next two months, making large-scale preventive healthcare accessible at the grassroots level. The programme is expected to transform the healthcare landscape in Andhra Pradesh by focusing on prevention rather than cure.
