Ten diseases have accounted for more than 80% of the disease burden in Andhra Pradesh, according to a survey conducted by the Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department, as per Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
Stating that the data was compiled by the department based on the last three years treatment taken under Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme in all the hospitals in the State, Mr. Naidu unveiled a health-oriented vision as part of Aarogya Andhra Pradesh, urging citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles and dietary practices to combat chronic illnesses.
Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat in Amaravati on Monday, the Chief Minister outlined the State’s plan to integrate health awareness, infrastructural development, and technological intervention.
He said that the study identified the prevalence of 10 major diseases — cardiovascular diseases accounting for about 18-22%, diabetes mellitus 12-15%, respiratory diseases 10-12%, infectious diseases 9-11%, chronic kidney disease 6-8%, cancer 5-7%, maternal and child health 5-6%, mental health disorders 4-5%, vector-borne diseases 3-5% and road traffic injuries 3-4%.
“Regular exercise, yoga, and meditation can significantly reduce stress and lifestyle diseases,” he said. Replacing junk food with millets, vegetables, and whole grains while reducing the intake of salt, sugar, and oil could bring measurable improvements to public health.
Cause for concern
The presentation revealed a worrying rise in conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and kidney diseases. Of the 2.15 crore adults screened across the State, 9.2% were diagnosed with hypertension and 5.1% with diabetes, women being disproportionately affected in both cases. Heart diseases, respiratory illnesses, and neurological disorders were also prevalent, with district-wise data pointing to regional disparities. Eluru, NTR and Krishna districts reported the highest cases of dual incidence of hypertension and diabetes, Mr. Naidu said.
Notably, the State identified over 1.7 lakh kidney patients and 1.19 lakh cancer cases, with women again forming the majority. The CM emphasised that many of these conditions could be prevented or managed through dietary changes and early intervention.
Dietary changes
Mr. Naidu urged citizens to limit monthly household consumption of salt to 600 grams, oil to 2 litres, and sugar to 3 kg, for a family of four members. “If we reduce salt intake, heart attack risk can drop by 40%,” he noted. He also stressed the importance of reducing pesticide use in farming and promoting natural cultivation, citing Punjab’s cancer burden due to excessive chemical use as a cautionary tale.
‘’The State is leading the rollout of Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), with 88% coverage achieved. As part of its tech-driven approach, Andhra Pradesh is setting up pilot Digital Nerve Centre (DiNC) starting in Kuppam, followed by Statewide implementation. By June, the government aims to commence the DiNC project in Kuppam Assembly constituency and then expand it to Chittoor district, and later across the State,’‘ the Chief Minister said, adding that in a time-bound manner, the government aims to complete health screenings for the entire population, store records in DigiLocker, and use AI to send health alerts and monitor disease patterns from childhood.
Multi-Specialty Hospitals
Under a public-private partnership model, Andhra Pradesh plans to build 100 to 300 bedded multi-specialty hospitals in every Assembly constituency. While 70 constituencies already have such facilities, construction in the remaining 105 is being expedited. The government will provide land and viability gap funding to support this initiative.
Mega Medicity in Amaravati
A mega global Medicity is planned in Amaravati in collaboration with the Central government, the Chief Minister announced. Spread across 200 acres, the complex would include zones for healthcare, residential facilities, and commercial activities. The Health Department and CRDA would jointly oversee the development, which was expected to position Amaravati as a hub for medical tourism, he said.
‘’To leverage global best practices and technology, the State is partnering with Tata and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Experts from across India and abroad will serve as government advisors, with regular performance reviews to ensure accountability,’‘ he added.
“A healthy, wealthy, and happy Andhra Pradesh is not a dream, it’s a mission we are committed to achieving,” Mr. Naidu said.
Published – April 07, 2025 09:35 pm IST
