Manpreet launches health insurance scheme in city

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 20

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal launched ambitious Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi here on Tuesday. More than 2.30 lakh families in the district will benefit from the scheme.

Speaking at an event held at GNM Training School of the Civil Hospital, the minister urged health officials, doctors, and paramedical staff to give their 100 per cent to make this scheme a success.

He said, “I am feeling honored to launch this scheme from my constituency.”

Throwing light on the scheme, he said it would cover 43 lakh families in the state. “Nearly 70 per cent of the state’s population will be benefited from this flagship scheme. Under the Centre’s scheme, it was just 14 lakh BPL families. Even the accreditated journalists are covered under this scheme. A total of 1,396 packages of different surgeries in multi-specialist hospitals are also included. A helpline number 104 has also been launched for the scheme so that people can get more information about the scheme round the clock.”

Around 450 hospitals —200 government and 250 private hospitals —have been empaneled under the scheme from where beneficiaries can avail of the medical benefits.

Around Rs300-350 crore will be spent yearly by the state government for it.

The Finance Minister asked the Civil Surgeon to organise health camps in villages to make people aware of the medical insurance scheme.

Jasvir Singh and Nanak Singh were among first 14 beneficiaries from the city of this flagship scheme.

Manpreet assured the Civil Surgeon that all requests regarding shortage of equipment, X-ray machines and staff would be met soon.

The Civil Surgeon, Dr. Amreek Singh Sandhu, had urged the minister to look into these matters as these were affecting health services at the Civil Hospital.

Deputy Commissioner B Srinivasan, SDM Amarinder Singh Tiwana and Congress Bathinda urban president Arun Wadhawan were present on the occasion.

450 hospitals empaneled 

Around 450 hospitals — 200 government and 250 private hospitals — have been empaneled under the scheme from where beneficiaries can avail of the medical benefits.