The Hindu Business Line : ‘Arogya Sri’ in all districts by October

Visakhapatnam, May 29 Rajiv Arogya Sri, a scheme launched by the Andhra Pradesh Government to enable the poorer sections in the State to undergo treatment in corporate hospitals, will be extended to all districts by the end of October, according to Ms G. Aruna Kumari, Minister for Medical Education and Health Insurance.

The Minister, who was here to inaugurate a trauma care centre in the King George Hospital here today, told reporters that so far, 11 districts had been covered under the scheme and it would be extended to Visakhapatnam district by the end of July.

The remaining districts would be covered by October.

Coverage

She said, “So far, 1.82 crore families in the State have been covered under the scheme.

All families having white ration cards will be eligible to avail themselves of the benefit.

Eighty-eight per cent of the population of the State – 6.55 crore – will be covered. Of the total health budget of Rs 3,368 crore, we have allocated Rs 864 crore to the scheme, to take expensive medicare to the poor.”

Replying to a question about allegations of malpractices by corporate hospitals and misuse of the scheme, Ms Aruna Kumari said some complaints had been received and action initiated against the erring hospitals.

So far, 13 hospitals had been blacklisted and stringent action would be taken against those indulging in malpractices, she warned. But the scheme in itself was well-conceived, she said.

She said liaison officers would be appointed in all districts to educate the public on the scheme and for more effective implementation.

More Stories on : Health | General Insurance | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Inflation wisdom from a blogger

No respite seen to food inflation in developing nations

Chidambaram asks excise dept to step up drive against evasion

Fertiliser sector to get top priority in gas allocation

‘Arogya Sri’ in all districts by October

AP Coastal Corridor project gets in-principle nod from Centre

‘Local factories using chlorine cylinders for water treatment to submit reports’

India, an emerging TV market for football: UEFA

London is world’s most expensive office market: CBRE

Telecom players divided over WiMax spectrum pricing

Havells India among 14 FDI plans cleared

Dollar fluctuations eat into Indian shrimp exports