Affordable healthcare with revamped insurance scheme

The State Government plans to give a big impetus to healthcare, with accent on modernisation and accessibility of services. The Government had proposed an outlay of Rs 4,761 crore for healthcare this year, during the recent Budget session.

Key among its various initiatives are the revamped health insurance scheme and the proposal to convert the new Secretariat complex into a multi-specialty hospital and medical college.

Super specialty centres

The multi-specialty hospital in Chennai's Anna Salai proposes to provide specialty treatment free of cost to the needy, will house modern equipment; medical experts, nurses and technical staff will also be appointed. The hospital will match the facilities at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, said the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, while addressing the State Assembly a few days ago.

In the recently presented Budget, the State Government had also announced setting up of a super-specialty centre in Annal Gandhi Government Hospital, Tiruchi, at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

Universal healthcare

The Budget proposals also talk about upgrading diagnostic services in district hospitals with supply of additional equipment at a cost of Rs 55 crore under the Tamil Nadu Health System project. Under public-private partnership, computer-aided laboratory facilities will be set up in all districts in a phased manner, the Government announced in its Budget.

Two major schemes, the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) and Tamil Nadu Health System Project are being implemented to achieve the goal of universal healthcare in the State. During 2011-12, the Government proposes to spend Rs 900 crore under NRHM. The State Government says it will focus on improving primary healthcare facilities in urban areas as they are inadequate at present.

A ‘Hospital on Wheels' scheme will be launched by the Government to provide healthcare services at the doorstep in remote areas. The Government also proposes to distribute sanitary napkins free of cost to rural girls. A sum of Rs 46 crore has been provided in the Revised Budget estimates for this purpose.

New health insurance scheme

Ms Jayalalilthaa has proposed a new health insurance scheme in place of the erstwhile government's scheme. The scheme extends medical cover up to Rs 4 lakh (for four years) from Rs 1 lakh before. It covers 950 types of medical treatment. The new scheme also seeks to give government hospitals priority over those in the private sector. Certain types of treatments will be permitted only in government hospitals and special wards will be set up for this in hospitals approved by the Government.

Bids invited

A tender inviting bids from insurance company to implement the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme in Tamil Nadu has already been announced.

The coverage will be up to Rs 1 lakh per family per year with provision to pay up to Rs 1.5 lakh per year per family for certain specified procedures.

The Project Director, Tamil Nadu Health Systems Society, will pay the insurance premium on behalf of the eligible persons to the successful bidder. The premium will be paid every year in four quarterly instalments.

Private hospitals in the city have welcomed the State Government's health insurance scheme. Says Ms Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals: “People who need healthcare will be able to get it; the scheme is going to be something everyone will be proud of. Government hospitals are upgrading themselves so they should be given priority. The private sector should work alongside the Government.”

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