CM launches Atal-Amrit health assurance scheme

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Dec 25: In its bid to give a boost to the healthcare sector in Assam, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Sunday launched a health assurance scheme for all BPL and APL families besieged with chronic, sudden or acute health issues. The coverage under the scheme will be up to Rs 2 lakh annually for critical healthcare costs.

Launching the scheme ‘Atal-Amrit Abhiyan’ at the conference hall of Assam Secretariat, synchronising with the 92nd birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Sonowal said the new scheme will give comprehensive coverage for six disease groups.

The health assurance scheme will cover all individuals in eligible families with annual income below Rs 5 lakh, both BPL and APL. The 437 diseases to be covered under this scheme have been segregated in six groups: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, kidney diseases, neo-tal diseases, neurological conditions and burns.

“Health remains a commitment for the present government and with the launching of Atal-Amrit Abhiyan, access to quality treatment will be a reality for all the citizens,” said Sonowal launching the scheme.

Emphasising that health is wealth, Sonowal said Atal-Amrit Abhiyan is an endeavour of the government to make quality healthcare affordable to every individual member of a family, thereby helping them enjoy sound body, mind and health.

With the launching of the scheme, a roadmap for quality and affordable healthcare delivery system has been drawn up, with the Chief Minister calling upon the people to extend all possible help towards success of the scheme.

“It is indeed an honour on the part of the government to have launched a health scheme after the me of Atal Behari Vajpayee, who took several painstaking efforts to include the Northeast in the priorities of the Centre,” Sonowal said.

He also said the scheme has the potential of helping realize the dream of Deendayal Upadhaya to make healthcare facilities accessible and affordable to all.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while speaking on the occasion, said that launching the health assurance scheme is a tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his keen interest in inspiring positive development for the Northeast. Sarma mentioned that the fincial outlay for the scheme will be Rs 200 crore and the government is committed to make the amount available to ensure health for targeted people of the State.

The assurance will be cashless at the point of delivery and all the members of an eligible family will be given a lamited health card with unique identification number to avail of facilities under the scheme.

A separate society will also be set up under the aegis of Department of Health and Family Welfare which will be responsible for administration of the scheme.