Assam rolls out ambitious health insurance scheme

Guwahati: Assam government today rolled out an ambitious health insurance scheme 'Atal-Amrit Abhiyan', enabling poor people to receive a cover of Rs 2 lakh annually.

Coinciding with the 92nd birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the 'Atal-Amrit Abhiyan', which 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.

It may be noted that coverage under the scheme will be up to Rs 2 lakh annually for critical health care costs," an official release said.

The scheme will cover 437 diseases that have been again segregated in six disease groups, namely cardiovascular, cancer, kidney, neo-natal, neurological conditions and burns.

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

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

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

Terming it as the biggest health care initiative by any state, Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the financial outlay for the scheme will be Rs 200 crore with the government committed to make the amount available to ensure health for targeted people.