Special leave for radiographers, workload reduction for nurses and incentives for paramedical staff

AMARAVATI, September 4: The Andhra Pradesh Government has issued a series of orders aimed at addressing long-pending service-related issues faced by contract employees in the Health and Medical Education departments.

The measures follow representations made by the Contract Employees’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) to Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav. Responding positively to their demands, the Minister directed officials to examine the issues and take appropriate action.

Following his directions, Health Department Secretary Veerapandian and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Chakradhar Babu conducted reviews with the concerned officials. Subsequently, orders were issued providing relief to contract employees working in various healthcare institutions.

Special leave for radiographers

The government has provided a special benefit to contract radiographers and radiographic technicians who are exposed to radiation as part of their duties.

Eligible personnel working in X-ray and radiology departments of teaching hospitals will be granted 30 days of mandatory special leave after completing every 11 months of service, according to the orders.

The special leave will not be deducted from their regular leave account.

Staff deployment in PHCs

The government has also addressed the shortage of personnel and duty adjustments in Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

Officials have been instructed to utilise available staff based on local requirements. The services of Male Nursing Orderlies (MNOs) and Female Nursing Orderlies (FNOs) may be utilised during the day, while Sanitary Attendants and other support staff, as required, may be deployed during night hours.

The government has particularly emphasised using such personnel to support staff members assigned to night duties.

Steps to reduce nurses’ workload

Measures have also been introduced to reduce the burden of continuous 12-hour duties on nurses working in PHCs.

Where three nurses are posted at a PHC, duties should be adjusted through a rotation system even when one nurse is on leave. The government has directed officials to ensure that a nurse is not burdened with a continuous 12-hour duty during the daytime.

The available services of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) should also be effectively utilised to facilitate duty adjustments, the orders stated.

Clinical training for students at PHCs

The government has also permitted DMLT and B.Sc. MLT students to undergo clinical training at PHCs.

Under the guidelines, students undertaking six- or 12-month clinical training can undergo a one-month training programme at PHCs and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs).

District Medical and Health Officers will identify and allot training centres to eligible students.

Incentives under NTR Vaidya Seva Trust

Another significant decision relates to incentives provided through the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva Trust (NTRVST) for surgeries and medical procedures.

The government has directed that eligible contract paramedical employees who participate in surgeries and procedures should receive a prescribed share of the incentives along with doctors, based on their respective cadres.

Staff nurses, operation theatre technicians, anaesthesia technicians, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and other eligible supporting personnel are to be included in the incentive system according to the applicable norms.

The Health and Family Welfare Commissioner has also directed that details of surgeries conducted each month, the personnel who participated and the incentive amounts payable to them should be displayed on the notice board.

The latest orders are expected to provide relief to a large number of contract healthcare employees while also improving staff utilisation and service delivery at government health facilities across the State. 

AMARAVATI, September 4: National-level experts have praised the innovative and comprehensive measures being implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Government to control and eliminate malaria in the State.

The expert teams appreciated the State’s efforts in disease surveillance, early detection and management of cases, expansion of healthcare services in tribal areas, community participation and coordination between the government and private healthcare sectors.

The experts specifically noted the use of the Chief Minister’s Dashboard, AWARE system, drone technology, feeder ambulances, ‘Friday–Dry Day’ campaign, Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) and distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) as notable initiatives.

Malaria programmes reviewed in four States

As part of preparations for the National Strategic Plan for 2027–2032, national-level expert teams are reviewing malaria control programmes in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Odisha.

The expert teams visited Andhra Pradesh from September 1 to Friday and conducted field-level assessments in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, which has a relatively high malaria burden, and Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, where the incidence is comparatively low.

During the visit, the teams examined healthcare services available at health centres, case detection and treatment mechanisms and measures being taken to prevent and control malaria.

Review meeting with Health Commissioner

Following the four-day field visit, the expert teams held a review meeting with Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Chakradhar Babu and other officials at the APICC office in Mangalagiri on Friday night. Several experts also participated virtually.

Prof. Dr Kamini Mendis, Dr Nirmal Jo, Dr Lokesh Kori, Dr Arya Rahul, Dr P.K. Sen, Dr Pranab J. Bhuyan and Dr Badri Thapa were among those who participated in the discussions.

The experts appreciated the use of the Chief Minister’s Dashboard for monitoring disease surveillance and the AWARE system for assessing the status of malaria cases and tracking their management.

They noted that Andhra Pradesh was making effective use of technology in public health programmes to strengthen disease surveillance and control measures.

Drone services in tribal areas

The expert teams examined the use of drone-based technology to support diagnosis and treatment in remote and difficult-to-reach tribal areas.

The deployment of feeder ambulances to transport patients from remote locations to nearby hospitals was also appreciated. The experts observed that such measures could help bridge gaps in access to healthcare services in geographically difficult areas.

‘Friday–Dry Day’ initiative appreciated

The teams also appreciated the ‘Friday–Dry Day’ initiative, under which potential mosquito-breeding sites are identified and eliminated while awareness is created among the public about malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases.

The distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in malaria-prone areas and efforts to educate communities on their proper use were also highlighted by the experts.

Experts suggest further strengthening of programme

The expert teams observed that the comprehensive approach adopted by Andhra Pradesh was contributing to improved malaria control outcomes.

They recommended further strengthening early diagnosis, timely treatment, disease surveillance and mosquito-control measures. They also called for greater community participation and improved coordination among different government departments.

The experts stressed the need to continue focusing on extending healthcare services to remote areas and ensuring early detection and timely treatment of malaria cases.