West Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari today formally launched Ayushman Bharat, the Central Government’s flagship health insurance scheme, in the state. He also launched the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana. Those not covered under Ayushman Bharat will be eligible for the state health insurance scheme. The Chief Minister said that 1,950 diseases would be covered under the two schemes. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel was also present at the event.
“Ayushman Bharat, the flagship health insurance scheme of the Central Government, was launched in West Bengal today. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari formally launched the scheme at Netaji Indoor Stadium. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel was also present at the programme. The Chief Minister said around six crore people, or nearly 1.5 crore families, in the state would benefit from the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The scheme will be available at around 2,000 government and private hospitals in West Bengal and 38,604 hospitals across the country.
All people aged above 70 will be covered under Ayushman Bharat. Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said around 35 lakh people aged above 70 in the state would be covered under the scheme.
The Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana was also launched today. Those who are not covered under Ayushman Bharat will be eligible for the state health insurance scheme. The Chief Minister said around 80 lakh families would be covered under the scheme. The benefits will be available at hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat in the state.
The Chief Minister further said treatment for 1,950 diseases would be covered under the two schemes. Knee replacement and hip surgery would also be covered.
The state government has also announced the setting up of 100 Amrit pharmacies and 458 Jan Aushadhi centres.
Actor Mithun Chakraborty, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay and Minister of State for Health Sumana Sarkar were among those present at the programme.
