Patients already admitted to hospitals will continue to receive treatment, but no new registrations will be accepted, says ASHA vice-president SVL Narayana Rao. | Photo credit: Representative image
The Andhra Pradesh Special Hospitals Association (ASHA) has again suspended the provision of all health services to people with weaker economic backgrounds from Wednesday (April 1) under the leadership of Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva as dues continue to remain unpaid by the state government.
The association also terminated services in April and October 2025 for the same reason. The association also expressed disappointment over the budgetary allocation of ₹4,000 crore for the program, saying it was too low.
More than 600 private and 200 government hospitals in the state are providing cashless treatment to people under the scheme, which was earlier known as Aarogyasri. The cost of treatment is covered by the state.
In response to the strike call by ASHA, all private network hospitals have agreed in principle to participate in the strike, said ASHA vice-president SVL Narayana Rao. But clarity on how many of them actually participated in the strike on the first day would emerge later, he said.
“Patients already admitted to hospitals will continue to receive treatment, but no new registrations will be accepted. All emergency and outpatient services have been suspended,” added Dr. Narayana Rao.
In a letter addressed to the CEO, Dr. To the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust on March 26, members wrote that outstanding dues had increased from ₹2,600 crore to ₹3,000 crore and that despite assurances of time-bound payments, no progress had been made. The long delay is having a serious impact on hospital operations and public health services, they said, adding that they will have no option but to go on strike from April 1 unless the government responds.
In addition to the financial burden, hospital networks repeatedly request a review of the prices of health services offered under the program. During a press conference earlier this month, they said it was unfair for the government to expect hospitals to provide services to people at the rates set in 2007.
On Wednesday, ASHA members were invited to the first round of talks with the government. But ASHA president K. Vijay Kumar, who was part of the talks, said nothing concrete had come out.
“The government has offered to pay ₹1,000 crore in the next ten days and another ₹1,000 crore next month. But similar assurances have been made in the past and nothing has been done,” said Dr. Vijay Kumar and added that the hospital networks are seeking written assurances from the government. Until the initial payment is made, health services will continue to be suspended in all private network hospitals in the state, he added.
Meanwhile, universal health coverage, which was supposed to start from April 1, has been delayed by 3-4 months. Earlier, ASHA members had vowed not to participate in the program until their concerns were addressed.
Published – 01 Apr 2026 21:28 IST
