AP Doubles NRC Network, Adds 175 Beds for Malnourished Children

The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a key step to bring medical care closer to children under five suffering from severe malnutrition, with 21 new Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) set to be established across the state. Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said the new centres would add 175 beds to the existing network, taking the total number of NRCs from 21 to 42 and increasing the overall bed capacity from 340 to 515.

Of the new facilities, eight 10-bed NRCs have already been sanctioned in Araku, Munchingiput and Chintapalli in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, along with centres in Anakapalli, Bapatla, Nandyal, Sunnipenta and Narasaraopet in Palnadu district. Together, these facilities will provide 80 additional beds. Construction and preparatory works are at different stages. The centres at Araku and Nandyal have been completed and are expected to begin services shortly. Civil works are under tender process at Munchingiput, while construction of a new building is under way at Chintapalli. Work is also progressing at Anakapalli.

To improve access to specialised nutrition care in tribal areas, seven integrated NRCs with five beds each are being established at Addateegala, Y. Ramavaram, Salur, Palakonda, Badugari, Kurupam and Chinamerangi. These centres will collectively add another 35 beds. The facilities at Addateegala and Y. Ramavaram are expected to be opened soon.

The government has also sanctioned six additional 10-bed NRCs for 2026-27 at Madanapalle, Chittoor, Rajamahendravaram, Machilipatnam, Hindupur and Tanuku, further expanding the state's capacity to treat severely malnourished children.

Each 10-bed centre will have a medical officer, nutrition counsellor and staff nurse, besides personnel for cooking and other support services. For 2026-27, the government has allocated Rs 4.42 crore towards infrastructure and operational expenses, while Rs 12.22 crore has been earmarked annually for human resources.

The existing NRC network has reported a high recovery rate. During 2025-26, 6,195 children were admitted and 6,168 recovered. Between April and August 2026, 2,492 children received treatment, of whom 2,462 recovered, resulting in a 98.80% recovery rate.