Summary:
“Many essential services such as 102, 104 and 108 services, urban health centres and diagnostic centres are being run by corporate agencies. Many schemes such as the Arogya Raksha are siphoning the small amount of funds in the health sector, leaving no scope for the development of a government healthcare system in the state. Vijayawada: Doctors, public health workers and medical representatives in the state have said that they will vote for a government that will safeguard the public health system and ensure access to quality healthcare for every citizen.They have demanded that the budget allocation to healthcare be increased to 3.5 per cent of the total budget, and further increased to 5 per cent at the end of five years. All hospitals should have sufficient medical personnel and infrastructure, as per the requirement. Under the banner of Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV), doctors have said that they would vote only for those political parties that would implement their 18-point manifesto.“Right from primary health centres to hospitals at the tertiary-level, the government should take steps to strengthen the public health system..