Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday urged the public to reduce their intake of salt, oil, and sugar to prevent health issues. Speaking at a detailed briefing at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister advised families of four to limit their monthly consumption to 600 grams of salt, two liters of oil, and three kilograms of sugar.
“Make it a rule: consume no more than 0.6 kg of salt, two liters of oil, and three kg of sugar per month for a family of four. Many diseases can be controlled this way,” Naidu said, with a particular emphasis on cutting back on salt due to its connection to cardiovascular and kidney problems.
In addition to managing diet, Naidu encouraged daily physical activity, recommending at least 30 minutes of walking. He also suggested incorporating daily prayer or meditation — regardless of religious background — for at least 30 minutes to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
During the briefing, the Chief Minister also announced the launch of the Digital Health Nerve Centre (DiNC), a technology-driven initiative designed to transform public health services in the state. The pilot program will begin in Kuppam on June 15.
The DiNC aims to provide 100 percent Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) coverage and integrate all electronic health records. The platform will facilitate specialist consultations via telemedicine, health advice through a dedicated mobile app, and advanced analytics to aid in disease prediction, preventive awareness, and early health alerts, including those related to antenatal care.
The pilot program will start in five mandals of the Kuppam constituency during phase one, lasting three months. Phase two will expand to 31 mandals in Chittoor district. If successful, the initiative will be scaled up across all 26 districts within 26 months. The Andhra Pradesh government is collaborating with Tata MD and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to implement this program.
Additionally, Naidu stated plans for a large global medi-city in Amaravati’s greenfield capital, which will feature top international hospitals and promote medical tourism. The Union Government, in partnership with states, aims to develop 25 medi-cities under a public-private collaboration model.
