Vijayawada: Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday inaugurated a critical care block and Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) at the old government hospital here.
Later, Nadda and Naidu visited the newly inaugurated facilities, where officials briefed them on the features.
“Union Minister Nadda and CM Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the critical care block and IPH laboratories set up at the old government hospital (in Vijayawada,” said an official press release.
The projects—comprising 10 Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) and 12 Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs)—were formally launched by Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
The newly built 10 state-of-the-art CCBs cost Rs 234.50 crore, which will immediately add 500 dedicated emergency beds across key government medical colleges and district health facilities.
Located in Kadapa, Nellore, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Ongole, Anakapalle, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Hindupur, and Vijayawada, these units are equipped with advanced Operation Theatres, ultrasound diagnostics, and specialised super-speciality departments to deliver critical care locally and reduce travel burdens for low- and middle-income families.
The Centre has sanctioned a total of 24 Critical Care Blocks for AP under PM-ABHIM, involving an aggregate allocation of Rs 600.35 crore across 16 government medical colleges, three district hospitals, and five area hospitals. Upon full implementation, the network will yield 1,275 specialised critical beds statewide. The Minister affirmed that the remaining 14 CCBs are undergoing construction and are targeted for completion by April 30, 2027.
Simultaneously, the State is operationalising 12 new Integrated Public Health Labs, established at a cost of Rs 15 crore. The launch completes the Centre-sanctioned network of 26 IPHLs across the state, joining 14 facilities in operation.
