Govt to launch Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme on Jan 22: Minister

The government with an aim of providing quality and free health facilities to the people of the state is going to launch the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana (Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme) on January 22.

“The state government has kept an initial budget of Rs 1,200 crore and has also made special arrangements to increase it to Rs 1,500 crore for the smooth running of this scheme so that there is no shortage of funds in the treatment of any patient,” said Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, while addressing the media here today.

He said arrangements for the camps to be set up under this scheme on trial basis in 23 districts were being reviewed. These camps would be set up in villages and urban wards with a population of more than one thousand in the district, he said.

“Under this scheme, patients have been given comprehensive options for treatment, under which around 650 private hospitals in the state have been listed. All government hospitals, CHCs and medical colleges are also included in the scheme. Beneficiaries will be able to get up to Rs 10 lakh cashless treatment at these health facilities,” he said.

The Health Minister said the second phase of the war against drugs campaign had begun in Punjab, under which the state would be completely drug-free with the full support of citizens.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Sona Thind said that district administration had made all preparations to extend the benefits of the scheme to every needy person, under which 169 special camps would be set up across the district. She said special camps would be set up in 10 hospitals for patients with emergency health needs.

MLA Lakhbir Singh Rai, ADC Pooja Syal Grewal, and Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Sarita were also present on the occasion.