Public healthcare in Andhra Pradesh has once again entered the spotlight, following strong remarks from Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy regarding the alarming situation in government hospitals across North Andhra. The former Chief Minister raised critical questions about the deteriorating infrastructure and the growing difficulty faced by patients who depend entirely on public health institutions for treatment. His statement comes after reports of power failures affecting patient care in King George Hospital (KGH), Visakhapatnam a major medical lifeline for the region.
KGH Visakhapatnam: A Lifeline in Crisis
KGH is one of the most heavily-crowded public hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, catering largely to the poor and economically weaker sections. For decades, the institution has played a crucial role in emergency medicine, trauma care, maternal care, and general treatment. Any disruption in operations directly affects thousands of families who cannot afford private healthcare.
However, the hospital has recently faced troubling conditions, including power outages that disrupted ongoing treatment. According to reports, patients were left waiting, safety systems were impacted, and essential services functioned with uncertainty. For a public hospital of this scale, such a situation raises serious questions about preparedness, maintenance, and administrative responsibility.
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy termed the incident “unacceptable”, stating that hospitals cannot be left vulnerable to failures that endanger lives.
Healthcare Cannot Be Treated as a Luxury
During his response, Jagan Mohan Reddy stressed that hospitals must not become victims of negligence. For the poor, public healthcare is not merely an option it is their only accessible lifeline. Ignoring public hospitals is equal to ignoring the needs of the common people.
He stated that any administration cannot speak confidently about “vision” or “modern governance” while hospitals continue to struggle with basic infrastructure. Power failures inside a major government hospital reflect a deeper issue in monitoring, maintenance and responsibility.
Demand for Immediate Corrective Action
The statement called for immediate inspection, repair and strengthening of medical systems, especially in high-dependency areas like emergency wards, ICUs, and operation theatres. He also emphasised the need for:
- 24×7 functional power backup
- Modernised medical equipment
- Regular audits of infrastructure
- Accountability from hospital management
- Priority funding for essential repairs
According to him, corrective measures cannot be postponed, as delays directly affect patient safety.
Public Hospitals Are the First Point of Hope
Around 70% of poor families in North Andhra depend exclusively on free or subsidised treatment. Public hospitals like KGH carry the responsibility of serving rural, tribal, and low-income communities. When these institutions fail, an entire section of society is left without healthcare access.
Jagan Mohan Reddy reminded that healthcare is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy — it is a right that must be guaranteed to every citizen.
Public Reaction and Growing Concern
Reports of power failures inside KGH triggered public concern, especially among daily-wage families who rely on the hospital. Patients and attendants reportedly faced difficulties during the outage, raising questions about emergency protocols.
Jagan Mohan Reddy’s statement reflects widespread frustration among citizens who believe public healthcare deserves immediate priority.
The incident at KGH Visakhapatnam has reopened a critical debate about the condition of public hospitals in Andhra Pradesh. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s firm response emphasizes the need for accountability, sensitivity, and responsible administration.
As the largest lifeline for poor and middle-class families, government hospitals must function with stability, preparation, and dignity.
