Trinet News, 23 August 2026: Former Minister and BRS leader Harish Rao has demanded that the government immediately clear the pending dues under the Arogyasri scheme, which plays a crucial role in providing medical services to poor and middle-class people in Telangana. He expressed concern that delays in clearing payments owed to hospitals are having a severe impact on the medical sector.
Harish Rao stated that the Arogyasri scheme serves as a reliable support system for millions of families. He noted that poor families, who cannot afford expensive medical treatments, are saving their lives through this scheme. He warned that if dues payable to hospitals under such a vital scheme are not released on time, it is the common people who will ultimately suffer.
He mentioned that private and corporate hospitals submit bills to the government after treating patients under Arogyasri, and delays in processing these payments could affect hospital operations. He criticized the government for delaying the release of dues at a time when the costs of managing medical services, purchasing medicines, staff salaries, and other expenses are rising.
Harish Rao advised the government to view the Arogyasri scheme not just as a welfare program, but as a critical matter concerning human lives. He stated that when a patient arrives at a hospital in an emergency condition, any delay in treatment due to billing and payment issues is extremely distressing. He expressed concern that accumulating government dues to hospitals could cause difficulties in providing treatment to Arogyasri patients.
He demanded that dues be released immediately to provide financial security to hospitals so that Arogyasri services can continue without interruption. Harish Rao said the government should not be negligent regarding the health of poor people and suggested that human lives should be prioritized beyond politics.
He recalled that the Arogyasri scheme has stood by numerous families in times of crisis in the past, and even today, thousands of patients depend on it. He stated that this scheme is a great boon for poor families receiving treatment for severe illnesses such as heart diseases, kidney ailments, and cancer. He noted that the services of private hospitals are essential for the poor when all types of treatments are not available in government hospitals. Therefore, he urged the government to promptly clear the Arogyasri dues and provide the necessary financial assistance to hospitals.
He warned that delaying the resolution of the dues issue risks damaging public trust in medical services. Harish Rao emphasized that public health must be the government's highest priority. He stated that pro-poor schemes like Arogyasri can truly benefit the public only if they are implemented efficiently. He demanded the immediate release of hospital dues to ensure there is no disruption in Arogyasri services. The demand made by former minister Harish Rao to immediately clear Arogyasri dues and safeguard medical services for the poor is also receiving public support.
