Aarogyasri Services Resume Across Telangana After Hospitals Call off Protest

Hyderabad: After nearly two weeks of disruption, Aarogyasri healthcare services are set to resume across Telangana as the Telangana Network Hospitals Association (TANHA) called off its protest on Monday. The decision was taken following assurances from Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, who pledged to address the association’s longstanding grievances.

TANHA had suspended Aarogyasri services on January 10, citing delays in clearing pending medical bills, inadequacies in existing MoUs, and the need for revision of healthcare rates under the scheme. The suspension had left many beneficiaries of the government healthcare program in distress.

During a meeting with TANHA representatives, the Health Minister promised to resolve their key issues. These include redrafting Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), revising Aarogyasri package rates, and clearing pending bills within 4-5 months.

“We are thankful to the Health Minister for assuring us about the resolution of pending medical bills and regular payments. The creation of a committee comprising Aarogyasri’s CEO and TANHA members to redraft MoUs is a significant step,” TANHA members said in a statement.

The Health Minister also directed senior health officials to collaborate with TANHA to ensure smoother operations in the future. The government has committed to revising health packages to prevent financial losses, especially for small and mid-segment hospitals.

With this development, beneficiaries of the Aarogyasri scheme can once again access services at private hospitals across the state. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on economically weaker sections by providing cashless healthcare for critical illnesses.

The restoration of services marks a crucial step in reinforcing the partnership between the government and private hospitals, ensuring that the state’s healthcare system continues to serve its population effectively.