Medical College principals can now make Himcare cards

The state government has empowered the principals and medical superintendents of medical colleges to make Himcare cards throughout the year under special circumstances. They can make the cards of the poor and needy people based on their financial conditions, severity of disease or any other appropriate reason. Recently, the government had taken a decision to make Himcare cards on a quarterly basis every year i.e,, in March, June, September and December.

The government has also decided to provide free of cost treatment to accident victims in all state-run medical institutions. “The step will ensure timely and quality free treatment to accident victims. This decision can prove to be life saving for persons injured in an accident,” said a government spokesperson.

He said that the Himcare cards would have a validity of one year, and the portal to apply for the cards would open after every three months. “People can renew Himcare cards throughout the year. If a beneficiary fails to renew his card on time, as per the policy, and the card expires, the expired card can be renewed in March, June, September or December,” he added.

A Himcare card is free of cost for various sections such as below poverty line (BPL) people, MGNREGA workers, street vendors, orphans and prison inmates. “A fee of Rs 365 is charged for these cards from single women, contract and outsourced employees, persons with 40 per cent and above disability, mid-day meal workers, part-time and daily wage workers. A fee of Rs 1,000 is charged from the remaining eligible sections of people,” he said.