Vijayawada:The Centre has approved a record Rs 185.75 crore State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) for Andhra Pradesh under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) for 2026-27, marking the highest annual allocation received by the state since the scheme was launched in 2014.
Health minister Satya Kumar attributed the increase to the coordination between the Centre and state govt, and thanked the Centre for approving the plan.
According to govt data, Andhra Pradesh received a total of Rs 120.17 crore under NAM between 2014-15 and 2023-24. In contrast, allocations approved during the three years of the coalition government from 2024-25 to 2026-27 total Rs 434.64 crore. The state received Rs 83.23 crore in 2024-25, which increased to Rs 165.66 crore in 2025-26 and further rose to Rs 185.75 crore in the current financial year.
The govt said no budget allocation or fund release was made under NAM for Andhra Pradesh during 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.
According to the medical and health department, a key component of the latest plan is the deployment of 19 Mobile Medical Units across nine Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) areas, including Rampachodavaram, Chintur, Parvathipuram and Paderu. About Rs 1.26 crore has been earmarked for the units, which will provide free medical examinations, AYUSH medicines and health awareness services in tribal and remote areas.
The plan also focuses on strengthening AYUSH infrastructure and expanding specialised services. Rs 12.80 crore has been approved for modernising 64 AYUSH dispensaries, while Rs 22.16 crore has been allocated for free medicines to 712 dispensaries.
The govt has earmarked Rs 38.84 crore for strengthening AYUSH educational institutions, including the proposed Govt College of Naturopathy and Yoga with a 100-bed hospital at VIMS in Visakhapatnam.
Further, Rs 5.28 crore has been sanctioned for 58 speciality wellness centres, including 55 Ayurvedic Panchakarma centres and three Unani centres. Continuation funding has also been approved for six 50-bed integrated AYUSH hospitals being established in Srikakulam, ASR, NTR, Guntur, Prakasam and Tirupati districts.
Several new initiatives have also been proposed, including an AYUSH Sports Medicine Centre of Excellence in Kadapa, alcohol de-addiction centres at four AYUSH teaching hospitals, and yoga wellness centres at the state secretariat and four major prisons.
An AYUSH clinic will also be established on the High Court premises to provide basic Ayurvedic healthcare services to judges, advocates and court staff.
The govt has proposed the digitalisation of AYUSH services at 601 dispensaries, with funding for internet connectivity and laptops for 157 AYUSH Medical Officers. Connectivity has also been proposed for 126 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
At the Dr AL Govt Ayurvedic Hospital in Vijayawada, an Akshi Tarpana Unit and a Herbal Kwath Therapy Unit have been proposed under the plan.
Funds have also been allocated for public health programmes, including Ayurvidya for schoolchildren, initiatives for the prevention and management of musculoskeletal disorders, the Vayomitra programme, and the Suprajatha maternal and child health programme.
Satya Kumar said the govt would continue to prioritise the expansion of AYUSH healthcare services and strengthen traditional systems of medicine across the state.
