Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
With Inputs from Media Release
Udupi, Apr 20: Pro-chancellor of Manipal University, Dr H S Ballal launched the Manipal Arogya Card Scheme at Dr TMA Pai Hall here on Wednesday, April 19.
Addressing the gathered, H S Ballal spoke about the Manipal Arogya Card which comprises dental care, and said, "The card will have double benefits, as the Dental Arogya Card will also be inbuilt into it. People need not pay any extra cost for the dental card. The card offers concession to all the existing members of Manipal Arogya Card, on the renewal of membership. New members may pay a small fee and obtain the card."
Speaking about the older version, Manipal Arogya Card Scheme, he further said, "The scheme applies to the Manipal Group Hospitals in coastal Karnataka. People, especially BPL families, should make use of benefits of the card. This year, we hope to have 2 lakh enrolments."
Vice-chancellor of the Manipal University H Vinod Bhat presented the 'Dr T M A Pai Arogya Sevak Award’ to the agents who were leading in creating awareness about the scheme. Gajanana U Bhat from Honnavar area of Uttar Kannada District, Prakash Bhat from Shringeri, Ravincta from Chennagiri and H Jayaprakash Kamath were the awardees.
Dr Poornima Baliga pro-vice chancellor of Manipal University and dean of KMC, Manipal presented awards to top performing agents, from the Manipal cluster.
The new card
The Manipal Dental Arogya Card’, a new initiative, was released by Dr Surendra Shetty, pro-vice chancellor, Mangaluru. B Unnikrishnan, the dean of KMC Mangaluru released the 'information kit' of the new scheme. Saghir Siddique regional COO, Manipal Hospitals, Mangaluru released the 'application forms' for the scheme.
Balakrishna and family were the first to enrol for the card with inbuilt dental benefits. They received the card on occasion.
The new scheme introduced this year as part a social initiative of Manipal University aims to make medical treatment affordable to the public.
This year, people who enrol for the Arogya Card can also avail dental benefits that are an inbuilt feature of it. The scheme is hugely popular. In 2016, 1.65 lakh people had enrolled themselves in the scheme. This year, the public can enrol up to May 28 to avail the benefits, beginning today. The duration of the benefits lasts for 14 months starting June 1 and ends on July 31 next year.
Manipal Arogya Card Membership
Rates for new applicants are -
Rs 250 for an individual card.
Rs 520 for a family which includes the cardholder, spouse and all dependent children below 25 years of age.
Rs 620 Family Card Plus including one parent of the cardholder.
Rs 720 Family Card Plus including both parents of the cardholder.
The concessional rates on renewals for existing holders are-
Rs 220 for Individual cards
Rs 460 for Family Card, which includes the cardholder, spouse and all dependent children below 25 years of age.
Rs 560 Family Card including one parent of the cardholder.
Rs 660 for Family Card including both parents of the cardholder.
Dr Colonel M Dayananda, medical superintendent welcomed the gathering. Anand Venugopal, medical superintend of Mangaluru proposed the vote of thanks.
Nirmala N Rao, dean, Manipal College of Dental Sciences was present at the gathering.