AMARAVATI, Sept. 7, 2026: Andhra Pradesh has cleared the recruitment of 913 vacant ASHA worker positions, a move aimed at strengthening frontline healthcare delivery and ensuring that no sanctioned ASHA post remains vacant in the state.

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the latest recruitment would complete the filling of existing ASHA vacancies. He said the government had adopted a zero-vacancy approach and had already filled 1,294 ASHA positions over the past two years. With the newly approved appointments, the number of ASHA posts filled during the period would rise to 2,207.

The 913 vacancies comprise 673 positions in rural areas, 64 in tribal areas and 176 in urban locations, according to the Health Department.

Local Women to Get Preference

The recruitment will be conducted through District Health Societies, headed by the respective district collectors, in accordance with Central government guidelines.

Women from the village or ward for which the post is notified will be given preference. Applicants should have passed Class 10 and should generally be between 25 and 45 years of age, officials said.

Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Chakradhar Babu said district authorities had been instructed to complete the selection process and forward the appointment lists by September 30.

Anakapalli Has Most Vacancies

Anakapalli has the largest share of the vacancies with 77 posts, followed by Kurnool with 65 and East Godavari with 44.

Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts have 43 vacancies each, while West Godavari has 42 and Annamayya 41. Prakasam and YSR Kadapa have 38 each, followed by Krishna with 37.

Visakhapatnam has 33 vacancies; Chittoor and Konaseema have 32 each; Palnadu and Vizianagaram 31 each; Kakinada and SPSR Nellore 29 each; and Eluru 27.

Anantapur has 26 vacancies, Markapuram 25, Sri Sathya Sai and Srikakulam 22 each, while Guntur, Nandyal, Polavaram and Tirupati have 21 each. NTR district has 15 vacancies and Bapatla seven.

₹10,000 Monthly Pay

An ASHA worker will receive ₹10,000 a month. The state government will contribute ₹8,320 from its budget, with the remaining amount provided by the Centre.

The state spends up to ₹513 crore every year towards ASHA remuneration, of which approximately ₹426.84 crore is borne by the state government, while the balance is contributed by the Central government.

The government said strengthening the ASHA network would help extend basic health services to communities and improve access to healthcare at the local level.

VIJAYAWADA, April 16: State Minister for Medical, Health and Family Welfare Y. Satyakumar Yadav on Thursday stressed that timely medical intervention in the critical first hour following a road accident could significantly improve the chances of saving lives, and called for collective responsibility in making Andhra Pradesh a accident-free State.

The Minister was speaking at a State-level stakeholders' consultation on the PM RAHAT — Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment — scheme, held at the Dr. NTR Health University auditorium here. He described the Central government's scheme as playing a pivotal role in ensuring that accident victims receive emergency medical care without financial burden, offering cashless treatment up to Rs. 1.50 lakh with no requirement of advance payment.

Underlining the need for seamless coordination among all departments for the effective implementation of the scheme across the State, the Minister called upon hospitals, ambulance services, police, and other concerned agencies to work in close tandem to ensure that victims receive immediate assistance. He directed officials to create widespread public awareness about the scheme and emphasised that every hospital must have a thorough understanding of its provisions.

Expressing concern over the toll that road accidents take on families, the Minister noted that the loss of a breadwinner not only devastates a household financially but also jeopardises the future of children. He identified overspeeding, reckless driving, drunk driving, black spots on roads, and vehicles crossing dividers unexpectedly as the primary causes of accidents in the State.

The Minister said that the Golden Hour protocol was being effectively implemented through the 108 ambulance service, with the success rate of saving lives during the critical first hour having improved considerably compared to earlier. He also highlighted the ongoing implementation of the STEMI programme for cardiac emergencies, through which thousands of lives had been saved. He further informed that 14 Critical Care Blocks had been constructed across the State, with work on additional blocks under way.

18,380 Road Accidents Recorded in 2025

Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary Saurabh Gaur revealed that approximately 18,380 road accidents were recorded in the State in 2025, the majority of which occurred on National and State Highways and major roads. Overspeeding was identified as the primary cause, accounting for 79 per cent of all accidents, with wrong-side driving, drunk driving, and mobile phone use also cited as significant contributing factors. The highest number of accidents were recorded between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., he said.

He added that the government was integrating public and private hospitals to ensure emergency medical care during the Golden Hour, and that Trauma Care Centres were being established at every 100-kilometre interval to improve accessibility of medical services.

130 Black Spots Identified in NTR District

NTR District Collector Dr. G. Lakshmisha said that approximately 130 accident-prone black spots had been identified in the district, with special measures being taken at 27 critical locations. The district administration has set a target of reducing accidents by 50 per cent over the next year. He also spoke of efforts to encourage Good Samaritans — citizens who voluntarily transport accident victims to hospitals — and said that monthly road safety committee meetings were being held to strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

The event was attended by Traffic DCP N. Suryachandraro, Joint Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao, Director of Medical Education Dr. Raghanandana Rao, and representatives of various hospitals.

VIJAYAWADA, April 16: State Minister for Medical and Health Sri Satyakumar Yadav on Thursday called upon government medical colleges to work towards securing rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), asserting that such recognition would lend them a distinct identity and enhance their standing in the academic world.

The Minister was speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the Disease Monitoring and Decision Making Centre (DMDMC) at the NTR University of Health Sciences here, a facility being set up at a cost of Rs. 6 crore. He urged faculty and administrators to strive for the publication of research papers by State medical professionals in internationally reputed journals such as The Lancet.

Expressing concern over the lack of visible progress on the ground, the Minister noted that despite administrative approval orders having been issued for the development of teaching hospitals at an outlay of nearly Rs. 4,000 crore, tangible action remained elusive. He called upon hospital superintendents and college principals to act in a coordinated manner and take necessary steps without further delay. He also urged them to systematically harness the support being offered by alumni who are coming forward to contribute to the development of their alma mater. He stressed the need for continuous efforts to implement the 30-point agenda announced by the Medical and Health Department.

Suicides in Medical Colleges Must Be Prevented

State Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary Saurabh Gaur, addressing the gathering, urged principals of medical colleges to ensure that no student deaths by suicide occur on their campuses. Noting that there are approximately 7,000 faculty members across government and private medical colleges combined, he called upon each of them to closely observe and counsel at least 10 to 20 students, monitoring their behaviour and mental well-being. He informed that renowned psychiatrist Dr. Aparna is conducting special training programmes specifically targeting first-year MBBS students who are under stress.

The DMDMC will function under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) within the purview of the Director of Public Health. The advanced technology at the centre will enable early detection of disease outbreaks at the district, mandal, and village levels, facilitating timely preventive action. The centre is also to be linked with the Advanced Warning Advisory for Resilient Ecosystem (AWARE) system, officials said.

The NTR Health University has already disbursed Rs. 10 lakh each to government medical colleges in Kurnool, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam for the development of sports grounds to encourage student participation in athletics.

The university was also asked to initiate post-doctoral fellowship courses in the field of fertility. University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Chandrashekhar, Registrar Sai Sudhir, and Dr. Lakshmi Suryaprabha announced that new courses including BSc in Family Emergency Medicine and Forensic Nursing are to be introduced in medical colleges. Plans are also afoot to launch Biophysics courses in collaboration with IIT Chennai and IIT New Delhi. They requested that regulatory hurdles, including FCRA-related restrictions on receiving funds from abroad, be eased to facilitate construction and development work at teaching hospitals in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and other centres.

Cheques Presented to Andhra and Kakinada Medical Colleges

Minister Satyakumar presented cheques of Rs. 10 lakh each to the principals of Andhra Medical College and Kakinada Medical College, Dr. Sandhyarani and Dr. Vishnuvardhan respectively, for undertaking sports infrastructure development on their campuses.

The Minister also inaugurated a 100 KW rooftop solar panel installation atop the NTR Health University building, set up under the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of Canara Bank.

 Andhra Pradesh Introduces Fully Online Counseling for Medical Officer Recruitment

Amaravati: In a significant move to modernize recruitment and ensure complete transparency, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to conduct online counseling for the appointment of medical officers across the state.

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced that the process will cover 638 posts, including Civil Assistant Surgeons and tutors, and will be executed entirely through a digital platform. This marks a departure from conventional methods, bringing speed, efficiency, and fairness into the system.

Entire Process to Be Completed in 34 Hours

The minister stated that the option entry and posting process will be completed within a tight timeframe of 34 hours. Candidates can submit their preferences online from 11:00 AM on Monday to 6:00 PM on Tuesday. Shortly after the option window closes, posting orders will be generated automatically and sent to candidates via email.

Out of the total posts, 611 vacancies will be filled immediately through this process, excluding certain categories like sports quota posts that require additional verification.

Automated Allotment Based on Merit and Preferences

Officials explained that postings will be allotted through an automated system that considers candidates’ preferences, reservation norms, and merit. Applicants have been advised to select as many options as possible in order of priority to improve their chances of securing desired postings.

Replacing Time-Consuming Traditional Methods

Earlier, the counseling process involved physical attendance or virtual sessions via video conferencing platforms, which often took longer and required extensive arrangements. The new online system eliminates these hurdles, offering a seamless and candidate-friendly experience.

Reporting and Verification

Candidates who receive appointment orders must report to their respective institutions within 15 days. Certificate verification will be conducted at the designated district medical offices or teaching hospitals.

Health Department officials confirmed that all relevant details and login access will be available on official government portals, enabling candidates to participate in the process without any physical presence.

This initiative is being seen as a major step towards digital governance in Andhra Pradesh, ensuring a transparent, efficient, and hassle-free recruitment system in the healthcare sector.

అమరావతి( జర్నలిస్ట్ ఫైల్ ):  ప్రాథమిక ఆరోగ్య కేంద్రాల్లో (పీహెచ్సీలు) పనిచేసే వైద్యులు పీజీ ఇన్-సర్వీస్ కోటా సంబంధిత సమస్యలపై ఆందోళనలు చేస్తున్న నేపథ్యంలో, రాష్ట్ర వైద్య ఆరోగ్య శాఖ చర్యలకు దిగింది. రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం బోధనాసుపత్రులు, సామాజిక, ప్రాంతీయ, జిల్లా ఆసుపత్రుల్లో పనిచేస్తున్న ఎంబీబీఎస్ వైద్యులను పీహెచ్సీలకు పంపేలా ఆదేశాలు జారీ చేసింది.

సోమవారం రాత్రి విడుదలైన ఆదేశాల ప్రకారం, బోధనాసుపత్రుల్లో ఉన్న 1,014 మంది పీజీ విద్యార్థులు, సీనియర్ రెసిడెంట్లు, ఎంబీబీఎస్ ట్యూటర్లు, అలాగే సామాజిక, ప్రాంతీయ, జిల్లా ఆసుపత్రుల్లో పనిచేస్తున్న 1,017 మంది ఎంబీబీఎస్ వైద్యులను మాప్ చేసి, మంగళవారం నుంచి విధుల్లో నియమిస్తారు. ఈ చర్య ద్వారా రోగులకు యథావిధిగా సేవలు అందుతాయని ప్రభుత్వం తెలిపింది.

సహేతుకం లేదు
పీహెచ్సీ వైద్యుల ఆందోళనలు సమంజసం కాదని కమిషనర్ వీరపాండియన్, ఆరోగ్య, కుటుంబ సంక్షేమ శాఖ అధికారులు స్పష్టం చేశారు. భవిష్యత్తులో వచ్చే ఖాళీలను దృష్టిలో ఉంచుకుని, ప్రభుత్వం ఇన్-సర్వీస్ కోటా సీట్లను కేటాయించింది. ఇటీవల విడుదల చేసిన జీఎో ప్రకారం 15% క్లినికల్ (7 స్పెషాల్టీలు), 30% నాన్-క్లినికల్ సీట్లు కేటాయించబడ్డాయి. రాబోయే మూడు సంవత్సరాల్లో సుమారు వెయ్యి మంది ఇన్-సర్వీస్ పీజీలు విధుల్లో చేరనున్నారు.

సెలవులు లేవు
పీహెచ్సీల్లో పనిచేసే ఇతర సిబ్బంది సెలవులు వదిలి, అన్ని హెల్త్ అండ్ వెల్నెస్ కేంద్రాల్లోనే ఉండాలని వైద్య ఆరోగ్య శాఖ ఆదేశించింది. అత్యవసర పరిస్థితుల్లో మరింత అప్రమత్తంగా ఉండి, స్థానిక పరిస్థితులను ఉన్నతాధికారులకు తెలియజేయాలని సూచించింది. 108 అంబులెన్స్ సిబ్బంది స్థానిక ఆసుపత్రులతో సమన్వయం చేసుకోవాలని పేర్కొంది.

అమరావతి ( జర్నలిస్ట్ ఫైల్ ) : రాష్ట్రంలో ఎన్డీయే కూటమి ప్రభుత్వం ఏర్పడి విజయవంతంగా ఏడాది పూర్తి చేసుకున్న సందర్భంగా, వైద్య ఆరోగ్య శాఖా మంత్రి డాక్టర్ సత్యకుమార్ యాదవ్ సమీక్షా సమావేశం నిర్వహించారు. వెలగపూడిలోని ఏపీ సచివాలయంలో జరిగిన ఈ సమావేశంలో శాఖ ఉన్నతాధికారులు, సిబ్బంది పాల్గొన్నారు.

రాష్ట్రంలో అమలవుతున్న ఆరోగ్య, సంక్షేమ పథకాల పురోగతిని మంత్రి సమీక్షించారు. ప్రజల కోసం చేపట్టిన కార్యక్రమాలపై సమగ్రంగా చర్చించారు. అధికారుల పనితీరును విశ్లేషిస్తూ, లోపాలను గుర్తించి వెంటనే సరిచేసుకోవాలని సూచించారు.

లక్ష్యంతో పనిచేయాలి - మంత్రి స్పష్టీకరణ
శాఖ పనితీరులో స్పష్టమైన లక్ష్యాలను నిర్దేశించుకోవాలని, ప్రతి ఉద్యోగి సమర్థవంతంగా విధులు నిర్వర్తించాలని మంత్రి తెలిపారు. బాధ్యతాయుతంగా వ్యవహరించాలన్నది ఆయన స్పష్టమైన సందేశం. ప్రజలకు మెరుగైన వైద్య సేవలు అందించేందుకు ప్రతి ఒక్కరూ కట్టుబడి ఉండాలని సూచించారు.

సాంకేతికత, కొత్త ఆలోచనలపై దృష్టి
తాజా సాంకేతిక పరిజ్ఞానం వినియోగాన్ని విస్తృతం చేయాలని, నూతన ఆవిష్కరణలు, విధానాలకు ప్రాధాన్యత ఇవ్వాలని మంత్రి అధికారులను ఆదేశించారు. ప్రజల అవసరాలకు అనుగుణంగా సేవలలో మెరుగుదల తీసుకురావడమే లక్ష్యంగా శాఖ ముందుకు సాగాలని అన్నారు.