Nadda Inaugurates 22 Critical Health Facilities in Andhra
New facilities strengthen critical care, disease surveillance and public health preparedness
GG News Bureau
Amravati, 12th Sept: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on September 12 inaugurated 10 Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) and 12 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) in Andhra Pradesh, strengthening the state’s critical-care capacity and disease surveillance network.
The facilities were inaugurated in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, along with legislators, senior officials, doctors and healthcare professionals. The 10 CCBs are located at government medical colleges and district hospitals in Kadapa, Nellore, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Ongole, Anakapalli, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Hindupur and Vijayawada.
Addressing the gathering, Nadda said the facilities represented more than an infrastructure expansion, describing CCBs and IPHLs as essential components of a resilient health system. He said CCBs provide the capacity to save critically ill patients, while public health laboratories enable early detection and response to disease threats.
Nadda said the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was conceived after the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen India’s preparedness for future pandemics and public health emergencies while ensuring continuity of routine healthcare. He said hospitals must have critical-care capacity, oxygen and medical-gas systems, isolation facilities, trained personnel and laboratory capabilities.
Under PM-ABHIM, the Centre has sanctioned 631 Critical Care Blocks across states and Union Territories. In Andhra Pradesh, 24 CCBs have been sanctioned with an estimated investment of about ₹606 crore. The Centre has also sanctioned 26 IPHLs with an allocation of ₹32.50 crore; civil works for all 26 have been completed, with 14 already functional and the remaining 12 inaugurated on September 12.
The Minister said the government’s approach is shifting from a hospital-centric model towards an integrated health-system approach linking primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. He also highlighted the role of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in bringing comprehensive primary healthcare closer to communities.
Nadda praised Andhra Pradesh’s Sanjeevani programme, which provides doorstep healthcare and testing for 41 health parameters, and said the state’s experience could offer a model for strengthening primary healthcare nationally.
According to the ministry, the newly inaugurated facilities are intended to improve access to advanced critical care, strengthen disease surveillance and enhance the state’s preparedness to respond to pandemics, disasters and other public health emergencies.
