Sharmila Slams NDA: Aarogyasri at Risk

YS Sharmila, president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee, has accused the NDA coalition government of undermining the state's Aarogyasri health scheme. On Tuesday, Sharmila alleged that delayed payments of nearly Rs 2,500 crore to private hospitals have derailed a program she describes as a crucial lifeline for impoverished families.

Sharmila further criticized the government for replacing the scheme with limited private health insurance. She recalled Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's campaign promise of Rs 25 lakh coverage for every family, a promise now reportedly reduced to Rs 2.5 lakh for only 10% of families. This change, she claims, compromises the welfare of the public.

Highlighting a pattern of states reverting to government-run models, Sharmila demands immediate action. She calls for clearing hospital dues and warns against playing politics with public health, urging an expansion of Aarogyasri services. The ruling TDP has yet to respond.

(With inputs from agencies.)