Visakhapatnam, Sept 17: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reiterated that “Healthy, Wealthy, Happy Andhra Pradesh” is the state’s vision, with women’s health being the foundation of family well-being. Participating in the Swast Nari – Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan alongside Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the CM said women’s wellness directly strengthens families and society. The event included a live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address.
CM Naidu announced that every family in the state is covered under a universal health insurance scheme worth ₹2.5 lakh, with additional coverage of up to ₹25 lakh provided through the NTR Vaidya Seva Trust for the poor. He highlighted that Andhra Pradesh is spending nearly ₹20,000 crore on public health this year, reflecting the government’s commitment to healthcare accessibility. Over the next 15 days, 13,944 health camps will be conducted across the state, offering free tests for anemia, hypertension, diabetes, oral and breast cancer, cervical cancer, TB, and more, with specialists from multiple disciplines providing services.
The CM stressed lifestyle changes such as reducing sugar, salt, and oil consumption to maintain good health. He also mentioned Project Sanjeevani, developed with Tata and Gates Foundation, which will digitize health records for all citizens. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh’s MedTech Zone in Visakhapatnam is producing world-class medical equipment for export, strengthening the state’s healthcare ecosystem.
Focusing on women’s empowerment, CM Naidu pointed out that the government has provided welfare schemes like three free gas cylinders under Deepam, free travel under Stree Shakti, and financial empowerment through DWCRA and MEPMa groups, where women’s savings have crossed ₹20,000 crore. He lauded Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in granting 33% reservation for women in legislatures, calling it a milestone in women’s empowerment. The CM also assured that Visakhapatnam will be developed as one of the leading cities in India, citing Google’s upcoming presence as a testimony to the city’s growth potential.
