YSRCP opposes PPP model in AP medical colleges

Dr. Ambati Naga Radhakrishna Yadav, chairman of the YSRCP NTR district doctors wing, has voiced strong concern over the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to appoint a committee to explore public-private partnerships (PPPs) in medical education, warning that the move could restrict access to affordable education and weaken the public healthcare system.

He said Andhra Pradesh already trails its southern neighbours in medical education infrastructure. The State has 14 government medical colleges offering 3,110 MBBS seats and 24 private colleges with 2,850 seats. By comparison, Karnataka has 12,545 government medical seats, Tamil Nadu 12,050, and Telangana 9,040. “Instead of strengthening public infrastructure, the government appears more inclined to hand over existing medical colleges to the private sector,” Radhakrishna said. “For years, thousands of students have been forced to look to other States due to limited medical seats in AP.”

He also pointed to the 12 government medical colleges initiated during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led regime, with 60 percent funding from the Centre. “Those projects could have bridged the gap. The current government’s reluctance to take them forward is deeply disappointing.”

Radhakrishna said PPP models typically result in higher tuition fees, pushing medical education out of reach for economically weaker students. “Parents are already burdened with coaching expenses. The lack of accessible public colleges could push more students outside the State, contributing to brain drain. The shift could undercut the government’s commitment to affordable public healthcare and create staffing gaps in government hospitals. Radhakrishna urged the State to reconsider its direction and complete the pending medical colleges with central assistance.