Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday strongly defended the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for medical colleges, calling it a tool for faster infrastructure growth—not privatization. He criticized opposition parties for “cheap politics” and misleading the public.

Speaking during a debate on the Health Department in the Assembly, Naidu gave a PowerPoint presentation with data on seat allocations, expenditure, and timelines. “Some leaders neither know history nor the PPP concept. Under PPP, services remain free for the poor, but infrastructure is accelerated,” he clarified.

He noted that when he first became CM in 1996, the state had only six medical colleges. Today, there are 38 colleges: 18 government, 18 private, plus AIIMS and GITAM. He said this expansion is due to consistent policy.

Addressing concerns about reduced access for the poor, Naidu said the convener quota has been expanded under the coalition. Each new PPP college now has 75 seats under the convener quota, up from 64—resulting in 110 more free seats across 10 new colleges.

Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of poor execution. “They announced ₹8,480 crore for 17 colleges but spent only ₹1,550 crore in five years—just 18%. We have already spent ₹787 crore in 15 months. At this pace, we’ll finish in 2 years,” he said.

He emphasized that healthcare remains free under NTR Arogya Seva and Ayushman Bharat, and that PPP will only improve delivery. “Even IIT Madras and Nagpur University use PPP. Does that mean they’re privatized?” he asked.

The Assembly also saw lighter moments. Naidu joked about overeating by age 40 and said, “Even some doctors need treatment before they treat others!” prompting laughter across the House.

On a serious note, he urged people to follow healthy lifestyles—less salt, sugar, and oil, more sleep, and regular medical checkups. “The kitchen should be your pharmacy,” he said, adding that every citizen will undergo 41 tests and have a personal health record. He announced universal health insurance of Rs. 2.5 lakh.

He also flagged a concern: “Hospital room rents are now costlier than treatment itself. This needs reform.”