Minister urged to provide health development package in North Andhra - The HinduPublished - June 04, 2026 08:05 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAM:The Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV) on Thursday urged Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav to provide a special North Andhra health development package with a dedicated and ring-fenced health budget for the region.In a representation to the Minister, the forum’s president, M.V. Ramanaiah and general secretary T. Kameshwar Rao stated that over the past several months, PAV teams have been visiting various districts in the North Andhra region and are interacting with local communities, patients, health workers, public representatives and civil society organisations.The visits revealed that the region faces a combination of public health challenges that require focused policy attention and dedicated financial support.While the Uddanam region of Srikakulam district continues to suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), in Parvathipuram Manyam district, malaria, jaundice outbreaks, malnutrition, maternal and child health concerns, and inadequate access to specialist healthcare remain major issues.Meanwhile, in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, malaria, malnutrition and Sickle Cell Anaemia continue to pose serious challenges, while in Anakapalli district, strengthening NTR Hospital, expanding dialysis facilities and expediting the completion of the proposed medical college at Makavarapalem should be prioritised, the forum stated in a release.List out various deficiencies in the public health sector, the forum members urged the Minister to upgrade the Palasa Kidney Hospital into a Centre of Excellence for Nephrology and Renal Sciences and strengthen Nephrology and Endocrinology services at RIMS in Srikakulam, it further stated.They also wanted a comprehensive scientific study to assess the long-term impact of safe drinking water interventions, including RO water supply schemes, on the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in the Uddanam region.They urged the Minister to develop VIMS, Visakhapatnam, on the lines of NIMS as a premier tertiary care, teaching and research institution, upgrading Paderu District Hospital and establishing a Medical College in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, among others.Published - June 04, 2026 08:05 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }