AMARAVATI, Sept. 10, 2026: Andhra Pradesh is set to expand access to specialized treatment for children suffering from severe malnutrition, with the state government planning to add 21 Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) and 175 beds across several districts, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said Thursday.
The expansion will increase the number of NRCs in the state from 21 to 42 and the total bed capacity from 340 to 515 once all the new facilities become operational. The expansion includes eight 10-bed NRCs, seven five-bed integrated NRCs and six additional 10-bed centres to be established in phases.
The eight previously sanctioned 10-bed centres are coming up in Araku, Munchingiputtu and Chintapalli in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Anakapalli, Bapatla, Nandyal and Sunnipenta, and Narasaraopet in Palnadu district. Together, they will provide 80 beds. Construction work has already been completed at Araku and Nandyal, with the centres expected to begin operations shortly.
Seven integrated NRCs, each with five beds, are also being established in tribal and remote areas, including Addateegala and Y. Ramavaram, as well as Salur, Palakonda, Badragiri, Kurupam and Chinameringi. The government said the centres are intended to reduce the distance families have to travel to obtain treatment for severely malnourished children. The Addateegala and Y. Ramavaram facilities are expected to open soon.
Six more centres sanctioned
The government has additionally sanctioned six 10-bed NRCs for the 2026-27 financial year. These will be established at Madanapalle in Annamayya district, Chittoor, Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district, Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Hindupur in Sri Sathya Sai district and Tanuku in West Godavari district. The six facilities will add another 60 beds.
A 10-bed NRC will have a medical officer, nutrition counsellor, staff nurse, cooking/caregiving staff member and cleaner-cum-attendant. Larger 20-bed facilities will have two medical officers and two nutrition counsellors, along with additional support staff.
₹4.42 crore allocated for 2026-27
The state has allocated ₹4.42 crore for 2026-27 toward NRC infrastructure, strengthening staff capacity, incentives for ASHA workers and operational expenses. The allocation was ₹3.75 crore in 2024-25 and ₹3.56 crore in 2025-26. An additional ₹12.22 crore a year has been sanctioned for human resources.
NRCs provide specialized medical care and nutritional support to children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) along with associated medical complications. The centres have reported high recovery rates among children admitted for treatment.
In 2024-25, 5,961 children were admitted and 5,878 recovered and were discharged, representing a recovery rate of 98.60%. In 2025-26, 6,195 children were admitted, of whom 6,168 recovered. Between April and August 2026, 2,492 children were admitted and 2,462 recovered, taking the recovery rate during the period to 98.80%.
