Amaravati, Sep 23 (NationPress) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stated on Tuesday that, akin to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he has never taken a day's leave from his duties.

While addressing the Assembly on issues related to public health, he praised the Prime Minister's remarkable physical fitness, especially at the age of 75.

"The Prime Minister is 75 years old, and he is merely six months younger than I am, yet he continues to work exceptionally well. He travels abroad, and the very next day, he visits 4-5 states. Every day, he performs his duties with full physical vitality. He has never taken a leave, and I, too, have never taken a leave," he remarked, emphasizing the critical role of physical fitness.

Naidu further stressed the significance of nutrition in sustaining good health. "I always assert that food acts as medicine, and the kitchen serves as a pharmacy. By adhering to this principle, we can significantly enhance our health," he explained.

The Chief Minister also noted that an average individual consumes food intended for 120 years within just 40 years. "This holds true for you as well," he humorously told Deputy Speaker Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, prompting laughter from the Assembly members.

He pointed out that overindulgence in food is a primary contributor to various diseases and stressed the necessity of adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Naidu expressed concern regarding Andhra Pradesh's alarming statistics, as it ranks first in cesarean section operations.

He revealed that 90 percent of cesarean section (C-section) procedures are performed in private hospitals.

He stated that 56.62 percent of all births in the state occur via C-section, the highest rate in the nation. "These doctors, motivated by financial gain, are promoting cesarean deliveries rather than safe, natural births," he criticized.

He urged Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav to convene a meeting with private hospitals to communicate the government's disapproval of this trend and to encourage safer delivery methods.

"We will prioritize this issue because surgery is surgery. It is not right to alter the natural body that God has given us," the Chief Minister asserted.

He concurred with the Deputy Speaker that some families choose delivery dates based on 'auspicious' timings instead of allowing the pregnancy to progress naturally.

Naidu refuted claims made by the opposition YSR Congress Party that the government is privatizing medical colleges.

He clarified that the government is enhancing medical colleges through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and urged the public not to fall for misleading propaganda regarding privatization.

Naidu remarked that out of fear of truth being revealed in the Assembly, the YSRCP is resorting to spreading falsehoods while remaining outside the Assembly. "They cannot rely on fake propaganda indefinitely. There will be no compromise in our commitment to the public welfare, and we will not backtrack on this," he concluded.