APSRTC mandates health check-ups for employees above 45 amid rising deaths

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a vital move aimed at safeguarding employee welfare, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has made periodic medical check-ups mandatory for all employees aged above 45 years. The decision comes in response to a worrying rise in deaths linked to health complications among staff in recent months.

According to official data, as many as 272 APSRTC employees lost their lives due to various health issues between April last year and February this year, a span of just 11 months. Of these, nearly 100 deaths were attributed to cardiac ailments, while 62 were linked to liver-related diseases. Others succumbed to serious conditions such as cancer, kidney disorders, and respiratory illnesses. The trend has raised alarm within the corporation, prompting urgent preventive measures.

Under the new guidelines, which will come into force from May 1 across all depots in the state, drivers and conductors aged above 45 will undergo preventive medical examinations every six months. For employees in other departments, including workshop staff, annual health check-ups have been made compulsory.

APSRTC Managing Director N. Balasubramanyam has issued formal orders to implement the policy statewide. Officials say the initiative is designed to detect health issues at an early stage, enabling timely medical intervention and reducing the risk of sudden fatalities.

Until now, medical screening norms were limited primarily to drivers. Even in their case, employees below 45 years underwent check-ups once every three years, while those above 45 were examined annually. There was no structured health monitoring system for other categories of staff.

The revised framework marks a shift towards a more comprehensive occupational health policy within APSRTC. Given the physically demanding and high-stress nature of transport operations, officials believe the new system will significantly improve workforce well-being and operational safety.

Employee unions and internal sources have broadly welcomed the move, noting that it offers both reassurance to workers and a safety net for their families. With early diagnosis and preventive care at its core, the initiative is expected to reduce health-related risks and improve overall productivity within the corporation.