Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mandates Hospital Audit for Excessive Caesarean Deliveries
In a significant move to reform maternal healthcare practices, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has issued a directive for immediate audits of hospitals reporting more than 20% caesarean deliveries. The order, announced during a review of the Sanjeevani project at his camp office in Vijayawada, aims to curb unnecessary surgical births that pose health risks and financial burdens on families.
Strict Guidelines for Surgical Births
Chief Minister Naidu emphasized that caesarean sections should only be performed in cases of genuine medical complications, emergencies, or upon specific recommendations from specialist doctors. He instructed officials from the medical and health department to ensure strict adherence to these guidelines across both government and private healthcare facilities.
"Normal deliveries and maternal healthcare practices must be prioritized," stated Naidu, highlighting that unnecessary C-sections not only increase health risks for mothers and infants but also create substantial financial strain for families. He called for enhanced monitoring of delivery patterns to identify and address deviations from recommended practices.
Statewide Expansion of Sanjeevani Health Project
As part of broader healthcare reforms, Naidu has directed officials to implement the Sanjeevani project across all districts of Andhra Pradesh by July. Currently operating on a pilot basis in Chittoor district, including areas like Kuppam and Naravaripalle, this ambitious initiative focuses on population-level health screening, early disease detection, and the creation of a comprehensive digital health database.
Officials reported that 3.14 lakh people have already been enrolled in the Sanjeevani digital nerve centre database. The program creates individual digital health profiles for citizens with provisions for periodic updates and long-term tracking, shifting healthcare focus toward preventive measures.
Ambitious Targets and Infrastructure Investment
Naidu has set an ambitious target of conducting medical tests for 56.40 lakh people within the next year. To support this massive screening effort, he has sanctioned Rs 162 crore for deploying 904 mobile medical units that will facilitate testing across the state.
Monthly Health Outreach Initiatives
The chief minister announced that village meetings, health camps, and awareness programs will be organized regularly under the 'Swarna Andhra Population Management' initiative. These activities are scheduled for the fourth Saturday of every month starting in April.
Members of Parliament, legislators, district collectors, and medical officers have been instructed to actively participate in these outreach efforts to ensure maximum community engagement and health education.
Institutional Reforms and System Integration
Addressing structural challenges within the healthcare system, Naidu directed that all vacancies in the health department be filled promptly through continuous rationalization processes. He stressed that no positions should remain unfilled to maintain optimal healthcare delivery capacity.
Furthermore, the chief minister called for integration of pharmacy networks and laboratory services to improve overall efficiency and standardization across the healthcare system. This consolidation aims to create a more cohesive and responsive medical infrastructure.
The review meeting was attended by Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav, Chief Secretary S Saiprasad, Health Secretary Saurabh Gaur, and other senior officials who will oversee implementation of these comprehensive healthcare reforms.
