Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Andhra Pradesh Partners With Gates Foundation to Transform Healthcare System

<span>Andhra Pradesh</span> Health Minister <span>Satya Kumar Yadav</span> has announced a collaboration with the <span>Gates Foundation</span> to provide universal access to modern and affordable healthcare to its residents. 

In alignment with Chief Minister <span>Nara Chandrababu</span> Naidu’s vision for ‘Healthy <span>Andhra</span> Pradesh', Yadav announced that the changes will make medical services more accessible and technologically advanced. 

He also noted that the partnership will improve nutritional food security and public health outcomes, shift treatment planning from reactive to preventive and focus on a predictive healthcare approach. It also focuses on nutrition programs and digital medical services, moving beyond traditional treatment models.

Yadav further added that the government plans to introduce early disease detection systems, personalized health profiling, advance warning mechanisms for potential illnesses, individual health cards and expanded digital health services, including telemedicine.

The Health Minister assured residents that the State has created a high-power expert advisory group comprising of 10 international experts to review existing healthcare systems and recommend reforms, based on the Foundation's suggestion. Three sub-committees are also being formed to focus on specific areas, he added.

<h2>What Role Will AI Play In These Reforms?</h2>In a February 15 statement, Yadav announced the launch of ‘<span>MedTech Challenge</span>’ to identify and demonstrate portable, affordable and scalable medical technologies using AI. 

 “Around 100 applicants participated and, after two rounds of screening, 20 were shortlisted, he said. The shortlisted technologies are currently being tested in government hospitals under a pilot program and a final winner will be decided by the end of March. 

Yadav explained that the program's focus areas included AI-based diagnostic tests, portable point-of-care testing centres, smart monitoring and wearable devices, telemedicine tools for remote areas and data integration and disease surveillance. 

He said health data collected from various sources will be integrated with the RTGS “Aware” platform to enable early detection of disease outbreaks and data-driven policy formulation, which will help the state go-through with its planned reforms. 

<h2>Andhra Pradesh Plans To Ban Social Media For Teenagers</h2>The state also recently announced that it may soon follow Australia's steps and ban social media for teenagers under the age of 16 in the state.

Nara Lokesh, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Real Time Governance and Human Resources Development Minister for Andhra Pradesh, told Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland: "As a state, we are studying Australia’s under-16 law, and yes, I believe we need to create a strong legal enactment.

<strong>READ MORE:</strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/living-in-high-rises-linked-to-higher-air-pollution-iit-delhi-study-finds-article-153620383" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Living in High-Rises Linked to Higher Air Pollution Exposure, IIT Delhi Study Finds</a>

"Youngsters below a certain age should not be on such platforms, as they do not fully understand the content they are exposed to. Thus, a strong legal framework may be required."

TDP national spokesperson Deepak Reddy supported Lokesh's claim and stated: "Children below a certain age are not emotionally mature enough to comprehend the negative and harmful content that is freely available online. That is why the Andhra government is studying global best practices and examining Australia's under-16 social media law."

If implemented successfully, Andhra Pradesh would be the first Indian state to issue the ban and could pave the way for other states to consider such policies. State officials are yet to clarify when the rule will be implemented and if any fines will be attached to it.

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Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has announced a collaboration with the Gates Foundation to provide universal access to modern and affordable healthcare to its residents. In alignment with Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s vision for ‘Healthy Andhra Pradesh', Yadav announced that the changes will make medical services more accessible and technologically advanced. He also noted that the partnership will improve nutritional food security and public health outcomes, shift treatment planning from reactive to preventive and focus on a predictive healthcare approach. It also focuses on nutrition programs and digital medical services, moving beyond traditional treatment models.Yadav further added that the government plans to introduce early disease detection systems, personalized health profiling, advance warning mechanisms for potential illnesses, individual health cards and expanded digital health services, including telemedicine.The Health Minister assured residents that the State has created a high-power expert advisory group comprising of 10 international experts to review existing healthcare systems and recommend reforms, based on the Foundation's suggestion. Three sub-committees are also being formed to focus on specific areas, he added.What Role Will AI Play In These Reforms?In a February 15 statement, Yadav announced the launch of ‘MedTech Challenge’ to identify and demonstrate portable, affordable and scalable medical technologies using AI.  “Around 100 applicants participated and, after two rounds of screening, 20 were shortlisted, he said. The shortlisted technologies are currently being tested in government hospitals under a pilot program and a final winner will be decided by the end of March. Yadav explained that the program's focus areas included AI-based diagnostic tests, portable point-of-care testing centres, smart monitoring and wearable devices, telemedicine tools for remote areas and data integration and disease surveillance. He said health data collected from various sources will be integrated with the RTGS “Aware” platform to enable early detection of disease outbreaks and data-driven policy formulation, which will help the state go-through with its planned reforms. Andhra Pradesh Plans To Ban Social Media For TeenagersThe state also recently announced that it may soon follow Australia's steps and ban social media for teenagers under the age of 16 in the state.Nara Lokesh, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Real Time Governance and Human Resources Development Minister for Andhra Pradesh, told Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland: "As a state, we are studying Australia’s under-16 law, and yes, I believe we need to create a strong legal enactment.READ MORE:Living in High-Rises Linked to Higher Air Pollution Exposure, IIT Delhi Study Finds"Youngsters below a certain age should not be on such platforms, as they do not fully understand the content they are exposed to. Thus, a strong legal framework may be required."TDP national spokesperson Deepak Reddy supported Lokesh's claim and stated: "Children below a certain age are not emotionally mature enough to comprehend the negative and harmful content that is freely available online. That is why the Andhra government is studying global best practices and examining Australia's under-16 social media law."If implemented successfully, Andhra Pradesh would be the first Indian state to issue the ban and could pave the way for other states to consider such policies. State officials are yet to clarify when the rule will be implemented and if any fines will be attached to it.