Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s most prestigious project, Rajiv Arogya Sree that provides free medical treatment to the poor, is under a cloud following allegations that corporate hospitals stands to gain from the scheme at the expense of the state Government.

Health workers, social activists, NGOs and opposition parties are alleging that by encouraging poor people to seek treatment in corporate hospitals, the Government is neglecting government-run health centres and hospitals.

A confident Chief Minister dared his critics to an open debate and told his political rivals that he was ready to discuss the issue in the Assembly session which starts on August 25. However, with growing criticism, the CM made a tactical retreat on Friday requesting people to go to private hospitals only in case of an emergency and go to a government hospital for all other needs.

“Lakhs of poor patients who sometimes commit suicide as they cannot afford expensive treatment are availing the benefit of this scheme. We have identified only those hospitals which are capable of providing treatment for diseases and ailments covered under the scheme,” the CM said when questioned about the allegations.

“The corporate hospitals are charging hefty fees from patients for even simple ailments or surgeries as the Government is paying on their behalf,” said former health minister Nagam Janardhan Reddy of the Telugu Desam Party.

NGO Jana Vignana Vedika opined that if the Government had spent even half of the fund on upgrading facilities at government hospitals, more people would have benefitted. “A major portion of the funds are now going to corporate hospitals who are charging hefty fees for even small surgeries,” a source said. The NGO alleged that since the state Government is paying on behalf of the patient, the corporate hospitals are over-charging.

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