The scheme is expected to significantly increase healthcare facilities, particularly those in smaller towns and villages.
The National Health Protection Scheme that was announced by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley willin Budget 2018 would be implemented from October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, reported news agency ANI.
The National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) touted as ModiCare envisaged to provide medical cover of up to Rs 5 lakh to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, constituting 40 per cent of total population.
The scheme is expected to significantly increase healthcare facilities, particularly those in smaller towns and villages.
The scheme although appreciated by experts also raises apprehension about its implementation and the initial corpus of just Rs 2,000 crore.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley assured that the scheme would be entirely state funded, Jaitley said initial funds of Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated and whatever funds required, as the scheme rolls over, would be made available.
Yesterday, Jaitley in the Budget speech said, "We are all aware that lakhs of families in our country have to borrow or sell assets to receive indoor treatment in hospitals.
Government is seriously concerned about such impoverishment of poor and vulnerable families. Present RSBY provide annual coverage of only Rs 30,000 to poor families." Several state governments have also implemented supplemented health protection schemes providing varying coverage, he had said in the Lok Sabha.
The finance minister also advocated that the central and the state government can pool in resources for health care to achieve efficiency.
He also emphasised on having better hospitals in rural areas even though Tier I and Tier II cities have good hospitals.
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 "Budget 2018: National Health Protection Scheme to be implemented on Gandhi Jayanti")
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