AMARAVATI: The Medical fraternity is hailing Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's announcement where the government would be bearing the cost of treatment of Rs 1.5 crore for a Government doctor named Dr N Bhaskar Rao who is currently battling for his life at a private hospital in Hyderabad.

As per reports, Dr N Bhaskar Rao( 38), was working as a medical officer in Public Healthcare Centre (PHC) at Karamchedu of Prakasam district. His wife Dr Bhagya Laxmi(38) was working as an assistant professor, Radiology in Guntur Medical College. They both had tested positive for COVID and were admitted to GGH, Guntur on April 30.

File Pic: Dr N Bhaskar Rao

Bhaskar Rao was later shifted to Aayush hospital in Vijayawada on May 3 as his condition started to deteriorate. On May 10 they shifted him to a private hospital in Hyderabad. Doctors advised that he had to be put on ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and advised lung transplantation. But the doctor couple could not afford the operation as the cost was coming to Rs 1.5 crore. After getting to know about his situation from Energy Minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, the Chief Minister immediately responded and directed officials to ensure that the doctor gets good treatment and the government would bear the cost of the treatment.

With this, Rs 50 lakh was immediately sanctioned from the CM Relief Fund for his treatment and arrangements were being made to give the remaining amount.

The announcement by the CM for providing funds for the medical treatment for a doctor working in a PHC has been widely appreciated by the medical fraternity across the State. They lauded the CM YS Jagan's assurance to the health frontline workers serving during the Corona crisis.

At a press conference on Saturday, Principal Secretary (Health) Anil Kumar Singhal said the government would bear the medical expenses of any of the staff affected by COVID in the health department. Along with the Andhra Pradesh Doctors Association, the non-medical staff also expressed their happiness over the government's decision to support the medical frontline workers during these trying times.

Also Read: Jagananna Palavelluva-AP Amul Project Launched in West Godavari