Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurating the newly built Lalitha PVS Hospital in Guntur on Wednesday.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that only healthy citizens could build a wealthy nation, stressing that health remained the cornerstone of the government's vision of creating a “healthy, wealthy and happy Andhra Pradesh.”The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the newly built Lalitha PVS Hospital in Guntur. Spread across seven acres, the 600-bed multi-specialty facility offers services in 32 medical departments under one roof.Mr. Naidu lauded the hospital management for establishing a state-of-the-art healthcare institution equipped with advanced technology, and expressed the hope that it would serve poor and middle-class families effectively.Mr. Naidu announced that the government would soon roll out the ‘Sanjeevani’ programme across the State after its pilot implementation in Chittoor district. Describing it as a comprehensive healthcare initiative, the Chief Minister said every citizen would be provided with digital health record and access to “predictive, preventive and curative” healthcare services.Universal Health PolicyUnder the programme, 42 types of medical tests would be conducted at the people’s doorstep, while guidance on medicines and hospital visits would also be provided. He further revealed plans to introduce a Universal Health Policy that would offer treatment of up to ₹2.5 lakh per person free of cost.The Chief Minister emphasised that proper food habits, exercise and healthy lifestyle were essential for preventing diseases. He expressed concern over excessive use of urea and pesticides in agriculture, stating that such practices could adversely affect public health. “Food is medicine and kitchen is the first pharmacy,” he remarked.Mr. Naidu also called for establishment of dedicated yoga training cells in corporate hospitals and reiterated the government's commitment to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a major healthcare destination. He said efforts were underway to develop Amaravati on the lines of Hyderabad, attracting patients from across the country for advanced medical treatment. Published - June 03, 2026 07:44 pm IST
