The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has inaugurated ten Critical Care Blocks and twelve Integrated Public Health Laboratories across Andhra Pradesh. Union Health Minister J P Nadda opened these facilities on behalf of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which aims to strengthen India’s capacity to handle health emergencies while maintaining routine medical services.
What was inaugurated and where
The ten Critical Care Blocks are now operational at medical colleges and district hospitals in Kadapa, Nellore, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Ongole, Anakapalli, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Hindupur and Vijayawada. The twelve Integrated Public Health Laboratories have been set up at area hospitals in Seethampeta, Guntakal, Palamaner, Aganampudi, Nandigama, Chirala, Araku, Narasaraopeta, Banaganapalli, Anaparthy, Tuni and Gudur.
Under PM-ABHIM, Andhra Pradesh has been approved a total of ₹1,271.80 crore for a five-year period. This covers 24 Critical Care Blocks (with an investment of approximately ₹606 crore) and 26 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (with an allocation of ₹32.50 crore), along with other components including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at community and rural levels.
Nationally, the Government of India has sanctioned 631 Critical Care Blocks across all states and union territories under PM-ABHIM. The mission represents a shift from focusing mainly on preventive care to connecting preventive, primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare into one system.
What this means for you
If you live in Andhra Pradesh and face a serious medical emergency, advanced critical care facilities will now be available at district hospitals closer to your location rather than only at major tertiary centres. The new laboratories will enable faster detection of disease outbreaks and faster diagnosis of infections, potentially allowing health authorities to respond more quickly to public health threats. The overall approach aims to ensure that the healthcare system can continue providing routine services like child immunisation, maternal care and cancer screening even during major health emergencies.