NTR Vaidya Seva restored in AP as hospitals call off strike after Govt assurances

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a major relief to patients across Andhra Pradesh, the flagship NTR Vaidya Seva health scheme has resumed operations after a prolonged disruption, with network hospitals calling off their strike following assurances from the state government on clearing pending dues.

The Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospitals Association (ASHA), which had suspended services under the scheme citing non-payment of bills, announced the withdrawal of its protest after successful negotiations with the government. With this, medical services under the scheme have been restored across empanelled hospitals in the state.

According to ASHA representatives, the government has agreed to clear Rs 1,000 crore of the pending dues within the next 10 days. The remaining Rs 1,000 crore will be settled in the second quarter of the financial year. The assurance on a structured payment schedule was key to resolving the deadlock, they said.

The strike had severely impacted beneficiaries of the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme, particularly patients from economically weaker sections who depend on it for free or subsidised treatment in private and speciality hospitals. Many patients were either forced to postpone surgeries or seek costly alternatives outside the network during the disruption.

Health officials indicated that the government intervened urgently to resolve the issue, recognising the scheme’s importance in delivering accessible healthcare to lakhs of beneficiaries. With services now restored, hospitals have resumed admissions, surgeries, and outpatient care under the scheme.

ASHA representatives expressed cautious optimism, stating that while services have resumed based on the government’s commitment, timely release of funds will be crucial to avoid future disruptions. “We have resumed services in good faith, trusting that the government will honour its commitments,” A. Srinivas, secretary of ASHA said. The revival of the scheme is expected to ease the burden on thousands of patients across the state and restore confidence in one of Andhra Pradesh’s key public healthcare initiatives.