YSRCP Criticises Andhra Govt Over PPP Model For Medical Colleges

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has sharply criticized the Andhra Pradesh government's decision to build 10 new medical colleges under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, warning that it will render healthcare and medical education prohibitively expensive for the public. Former Health Minister V. Rajini accused the ruling NDA coalition, led by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), of misleading citizens with reform rhetoric while attempting to privatize public health infrastructure. The cabinet's recent approval of the PPP initiative targets 10 of the 17 medical colleges sanctioned by the central government during the YSRCP's 2019-2024 tenure, but Rajini argued it prioritizes private profits over accessibility.

In a letter to Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, Rajini contended that the PPP approach would allow private operators to recoup investments plus margins, driving up treatment costs and tuition fees, thereby burdening patients and students. She highlighted the success of government-run facilities in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which top national health indices without relying on PPP models for primary health centers, community health centers, area hospitals, and teaching institutions. "The PPP model for medical colleges will only make healthcare costly and medical education unaffordable," Rajini stated, emphasizing that district-level facilities must remain fully under public control to fulfill their mandate.

Rajini defended her party's record, noting that despite two years disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the YSRCP government operationalized five new medical colleges and obtained approvals for two more in Paderu and Pulivendula, bringing the total to seven near completion. She alleged malice by the current TDP-led NDA regime, claiming it influenced the Medical Assessment and Ratings Board (MARB) to revoke Pulivendula's permission to deny the previous administration credit. In contrast, she pointed out that the TDP failed to establish any medical colleges during its 2014-2019 term, despite central support for 82 nationwide. Recent National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines for 2023-25 have relaxed norms, allowing smaller batches and flexible infrastructure, which Rajini said requires only political commitment rather than PPP reliance.

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The criticism extends to fiscal priorities, with Rajini noting the NDA's willingness to allocate Rs 6,000 crore in one year for the Amaravati capital project but reluctance to invest similarly over five years in medical education. She urged the government to abandon the PPP plan, assume full responsibility for establishing and operating the colleges, and prioritize affordable healthcare. As of Tuesday, the TDP had not issued a response, leaving the debate on public health reforms unresolved amid ongoing efforts to expand medical infrastructure in the state.

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