The Ayushman Bharat is Modi government’s flagship health insurance scheme in which a special card is allotted to the people protected by the scheme.
New Delhi| The central government will provide free testing and treatment to over 50 crore beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme, the National Health Authority said in a statement on Saturday. The government body that manages the health scheme said that private labs and hospitals will be brought in for extending the free services to masses.
“Testing and treatment of COVID-19 is already available for free in public facilities. Now, more than 50 crore citizens, eligible under the health assurance scheme will be able to avail free testing through private labs and treatment for COVID-19 in empanelled hospitals,” it said in a statement.
“More than 50 crore poor and vulnerable citizens shall henceforth be eligible for free COVID-19 testing and treatment under Ayushman Bharat, PMJAY. Testing at private labs and treatment in designated hospitals now made free for Ayushman beneficiaries across India,” Harsh Vardhan, the union health minister tweeted.
More than 50 crore poor & vulnerable citizens shall henceforth be eligible for free #COVID_19 testing & treatment under #AyushmanBharat #PMJAY
Testing at private labs & treatment in designated hospitals now made free for Ayushman beneficiaries across India@AyushmanNHA @ibhushan pic.twitter.com/ikXQhhYJJy— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 4, 2020
The Ayushman Bharat is Modi government’s flagship health insurance scheme in which a special card is allotted to the people protected by the scheme.
Stressing on the need of private hospitals treating patients if the number rise higher than expected, the NHA said, “Active private sector involvement will be critical in case there is a surge in the number of COVID-19 patients that need care. States are in the process of enlisting private sector hospitals that can be converted to COVID-19 ONLY hospitals.”
The number of coronavirus cases in India have crossed 2900 on Saturday, told the Health Ministry. The health ministry also said that they are looking at increasing the testing capacity progressively.
For ramping up the testing, private labs and hospitals will have to play a major role.
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