YSR Congress stages protests against privatization of government medical colleges

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) held massive rallies and signature campaigns across all district headquarters on Monday to protest plans to privatize government medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh. Citizens from various walks of life turned out in large numbers to show their support.

Participants emphasized that government healthcare services should remain accessible to all and warned that handing them over to private operators would go against public interest. Students, women’s groups, workers, and youth were notably active in the demonstrations.

YSRCP leader R.K. Roja criticized the state government for moving toward privatization, saying, “While the central government encourages the establishment of government medical colleges nationwide, it is surprising that the Andhra Pradesh government is taking steps toward privatization.” She stressed that protecting public health is a government responsibility.

The collected signatures will be sent to the party’s central office in Tadepalli and, on December 18, submitted to Governor S. Abdul Nazeer by former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Roja further accused the state government of attempting to transfer medical colleges to the private sector while neighboring states such as Telangana and Karnataka continue to establish multiple government medical institutions. She also highlighted that during previous YSRCP rule, seven medical colleges were completed or nearing completion.

Roja questioned, “Has Chandrababu Naidu, with five decades of political experience, not built a single government medical college? Why hand over public assets, roads, and municipal resources to private companies?”

YSRCP leaders said the signature campaign, launched under former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy’s call, reflects growing public dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has yet to respond to the issue.