Tue Oct 14 14:16:43 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Former Minister and YSRCP leader Dharmana Prasada Rao is urging the Andhra Pradesh government to reverse its decision to privatize 17 recently constructed government medical colleges. He argues that privatization will drastically increase the cost of medical education, making it inaccessible to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. He also claims it will negatively impact the availability of affordable treatment for poor patients at associated super-specialty hospitals. He further alleges that the Arogya Shree health scheme is being undermined by non-payment to private hospitals and that government hospitals are lacking essential equipment.

**News Article:**

**Former Minister Condemns Medical College Privatization Plan in Andhra Pradesh**

**SRIKAKULAM, INDIA – October 14, 2025** – Former Minister and prominent YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Dharmana Prasada Rao has strongly criticized the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to privatize 17 government medical colleges recently built during the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy administration. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mr. Prasada Rao argued that this move would severely restrict access to affordable medical education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and limit healthcare options for the state’s poorest citizens.

“This decision is a disservice to the people of Andhra Pradesh,” stated Mr. Prasada Rao. “The Jagan Mohan Reddy government invested heavily in constructing these colleges and securing necessary approvals with the intention of providing quality, affordable education and healthcare. Privatization throws all of that away.”

Mr. Prasada Rao highlighted the potential cost increase for medical students. Under the original plan, 50% of seats were to be offered at a nominal fee of ₹15,000. He alleges that under the proposed public-private partnership (PPP) model, the same seats would be sold for ₹50 lakh.

Furthermore, Mr. Prasada Rao claimed that the Arogya Shree health scheme, designed to provide financial assistance for medical treatments, is being undermined by delayed payments to private hospitals. He also alleged equipment shortages in government hospitals, leading to an inability to perform major operations.

The YSRCP leader called on the government to reconsider its decision and prioritize the well-being of students and patients over potential private profits. The future of these medical colleges and their impact on the state’s healthcare landscape remains uncertain.

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