The Andhra Pradesh Government has sought for about Rs 780-crore grant from the Department for International Development (DFID), UK to take up active reforms in the state’s healthcare sector.

The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy stated that the State Government was planning to work with the Centre and other development partners such as WHO, World Bank and the DFID to strengthen the healthcare sector.

The state has prepared a project report of about Rs 780-crore required over the next five years. The report has been submitted to the Centre for consideration. The state has earlier carried out an extensive analytical medium-term strategy and expenditure framework, with DFID support.

AP wants to take up new reforms by focusing on identifying gaps in the implementation of existing programmes, improve efficiency of the system by involving the community and the civil society as active partners in enhancing the public health system.

Once the grant is obtained, the state will step up efforts towards child and maternal healthcare and will tackle HIV/ AIDS and diseases such as malaria, dengue and TB.