Naidu interacts with tribals ahead of ‘Sanjeevani’ launch in Araku

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Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu interacting with the tribals on Sanjeevani programme at RK Nagar village in Araku valley mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGMENT

Ahead of launching the State government’s flagship ‘Sanjeevani’ programme in Araku mandal of Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu interacted with tribal residents and sought their feedback on the healthcare services being delivered under the initiative in recent days.

Tribal leader Suriboyi Donnu said the programme offered more than medical care, providing relief to families that had long struggled to reach hospitals. He particularly highlighted the difficulties faced by women who had to depend on ‘doli’ carriers to access healthcare.

Divya, a pregnant woman from the village, said the programme had brought medical guidance closer to home. She said she was receiving health advice through mobile messages, helping her remain connected with healthcare services.

The interaction also covered education and livelihoods. G. Nagamma told Mr. Naidu that she had received ‘Thalli Vandanam’ benefits for all four of her children. Responding to her, Mr. Naidu said the government was considering setting up a common educational centre for tribal students from Classes VI to XII, along with coaching for national-level entrance examinations.

Encouraging tribal residents to take up pepper and coffee cultivation, Mr. Naidu assured them of government support to improve their incomes.

At a nearby Primary Health Centre, Mr. Naidu later witnessed drones collecting blood samples and transporting them to the Government General Hospital in Paderu for testing, demonstrating how technology could help bridge the healthcare gap in the hill areas.

Earlier, Mr. Naidu was welcomed by locals with a dhimsa dance performance. The tribal residents also interacted with the Chief Minister and took photographs with him.

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