Vijayawada:As the indefinite strike by private hospitals inAndhra Pradeshenters its 13th day, the Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospitals Association (ASHA) has announced a protest on Thursday, October 23, at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada. The protest is aimed at pressuring the state government into releasing Rs 2,700 crore in pending dues owed to private healthcare providers under the Dr.NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. Doctors, nurses, medical students, and hospital administrators from across the state will converge on Vijayawada, donning white coats and uniforms, to demand urgent government action. The protest is expected to see the participation of various medical associations, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Andhra Pradesh Private Nursing Homes Association (APNA), Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA), and the AP Government Doctors Association. Also Read:Andhra Pradesh private hospitals to suspend Aarogyasri Services from October 10 The strike began on October 10, when private hospitals stopped providing services under the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. ASHA stated that the State government has failed to clear the dues that have accumulated over time, leaving healthcare providers struggling to operate. Their demands are clear- an immediate release of Rs 2,700 crore in payments owed by the government and the inclusion of private hospitals in the development of the proposed universal health insurance scheme. had previously reported that Patients in Andhra Pradesh may soon face difficulties accessing free treatment under the Dr NTR Vaidya Seva scheme, as the Andhra Pradesh Speciality Hospitals Association (ASHA) has announced that private hospitals associated with it will cease providing services under the scheme from October 10, except for some emergency services. The private hospitals associated with ASHA stated they are unable to continue providing treatment to the patients because the State government has not cleared dues amounting to approximately Rs 2,700 crore. Also Read:Rs 2,700 crore pending dues: AP hospitals to suspend NTR Vaidya Seva services Private hospitals have raised concerns over the growing financial burden of the expanding NTR Vaidya Scheme, which now covers over 3,300 medical and surgical procedures. To alleviate this, hospitals have suggested that certain services, particularly in mother and child care, which account for 20% of the cases, be managed exclusively by government-run hospitals or medical colleges. This would reduce the strain on the state's finances while ensuring that essential services continue uninterrupted. Private hospitals claim that at present, 93.5 per cent of the population is covered under the NTR Vaidya Scheme. A senior doctor said, “It is high time the state government comes up with a permanent solution on healthcare services being provided in the state. Only then can these services be continued in an uninterrupted manner,” reportsDeccan Chronicle. Regarding the universal health insurance scheme, private hospitals have questioned its financial viability and implementation. They have provided feedback on how the scheme can be successfully rolled out, ensuring that it does not create further financial instability. With the ongoing impasse, patients across the state are facing delays and cancellations of critical surgeries and treatments. Many have been left with no affordable alternatives as private hospitals refuse new admissions under the state scheme until their concerns are addressed.