Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Nov 27: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced plans to bring the entire population in the state under the state-run 'Swasthya Sathi' health scheme.
The decision came in ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Banerjee announced that the scheme will come in effect from December 1, 2020.
Comparing the Centre's 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme Banerjee said that the Centre-run scheme is based on 60:40 ratio, while 'Swasthya Sathi' is totally funded by the West Bengal government.
"Earlier, we had decided to enrol at least 7.5 crore people under 'Swasthya Sathi'. I am announcing today that every family in West Bengal, every person, be it a child or an old man or woman, irrespective of their religious affinity will be covered under this scheme," CM Banerjee said.
"The Central government gives only 60 per cent for Ayushman Bharat. Who will pay the rest 40 per cent? If the common people need to pay Rs 2.5 lac for a Rs 5 lac scheme, then why will people opt for that. Our Swastha Sathi scheme is 100 per cent funded by the state government," she said.
Banerjee further said that if the Centre provides 100 per cent of the Ayushman Bharat scheme she would have no qualms towards it.
"If they (the Centre) want to fund Ayushman Bharat totally then let them do it. Why don't they do it?" she added. Every family will be provided with one smart card to avail the benefits of 'Swasthya Sathi' in which all state-run hospitals, as well as private hospitals in the state, have been roped in, she added.
The Trinamool Congress chief had launched the health scheme in December 2016. It provides a basic health cover for secondary and tertiary care for up to Rs 5 lac per annum per family.
"The health card will be issued to the woman guardians of the families and will be distributed from December 1, 2020. The families will be enrolled in the scheme once the government representatives start visiting every household in the state under the 'Duare Duare Poschimbongo Sarkar' (West Bengal government at your doorstep) scheme," she said.
"Anyone who is not enrolled in any other health scheme can avail the benefits of this card which will help people get cashless treatment at hospitals. The state will bear an annual expense of Rs 2,000 crore for the health scheme," Banerjee said.