Network hospitals have discontinued services under the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva on 10 October to protest the delay in payment by the government. | Photo credit: File photo
A day ahead of a massive protest called by representatives of the AP Specialty Hospitals Association (ASHA), the state government on Wednesday (October 22) released ₹250 crore to clear outstanding dues for private hospital networks.
According to an official statement from the ministry, Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister Satya Kumar Yadav discussed the payment of funds with Finance Minister Payyavula Kesav. The state government will also soon take steps to pay another ₹250 crore, Chief Secretary Saurabh Gaur said while urging the hospital authorities to resume services to people under the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva.
It may be noted that the state government has to pay around ₹ 2,700 crore in fees to the network hospitals to meet the expenses of the hospitals. Of the total amount, ₹670 crore was uploaded to the government’s Comprehensive Financial Management System payment portal, but was not released for a long time, forcing network hospital representatives to end services under the scheme from October 10.
Out of the uploaded amount of around ₹ 670 crore, the government on Wednesday released funds of ₹ 250 crore. When asked if they would continue the protest on October 23, ASHA Vice President SVL Narayana Rao replied in the affirmative.
“The distribution of the amount was asymmetrical. Some network hospitals received it and some did not. There is no change in our decision to hold a protest in Vijayawada on October 23,” said Dr. Narayana Rao.
Published – 22 Oct 2025 23:20 IST
