NTR Vaidya Seva Services to Halt in Andhra Pradesh Over Pending Dues

• NTR Vaidya Seva services halted over pending dues
• Andhra Pradesh hospitals protest unpaid Rs 3000 crore
• Healthcare services disruption likely from April 1

Healthcare services under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme are set to be suspended across Andhra Pradesh starting April 1, following a decision by private network hospitals citing massive unpaid dues from the government.

The Andhra Pradesh Specialty Hospitals Association announced that hospitals are owed nearly Rs 3000 crore, and despite earlier assurances that payments would be cleared by the end of December, the dues remain unsettled even by the end of March.

With mounting financial pressure, hospitals say they are struggling to manage daily operations and staff salaries. Many facilities have reportedly been forced to rely on loans to sustain services, making the continuation of the scheme increasingly difficult.

As a result, hospitals have decided to halt services under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme until payments are cleared. This move is expected to impact both outpatient and inpatient services, though hospitals have indicated that patients currently undergoing treatment will continue to receive care without disruption.

The scheme, earlier known as YSR Aarogyasri, provides cashless medical treatment to economically weaker sections through a network of hospitals. Eligible families can access treatment worth up to Rs 25 lakh annually under this program.

The sudden suspension raises concerns over access to healthcare for thousands of beneficiaries who depend on the scheme for critical medical services. Meanwhile, there are indications that the state government may initiate discussions with hospital representatives to resolve the issue and restore services at the earliest.