Bhopal: Principal secretary of health Gauri Singh in a meeting called by chief secretary BP Singh on Ayushman Bharat Scheme, said had Centre not extended the launch date, the scheme could have met the fate of the GST move. Earlier, the Centre had decided to launch the said scheme from August 15. It is now decided to launch the scheme on September 25, which is the birth anniversary of Deendayal Upadhayaya.
The scheme would be launched as pilot project in some districts across the state on September 25. It would be executed across the state from October 2, Gandhi Jayanti. Gauri Singh said the scheme would have been facing daily amendments, as done during the GST move.
It was also discussed in the meeting that the appointment of ‘Ayushman Mitra’ at district level hospitals under the scheme, should not put any burden on the government. The officials, citing the example of the appointment of Gurujis who were initially appointed on contingency but later demanded regularisation, said Ayushman Mitras might demand for regularization of service after some time.
Chief secretary Singh urged the officers of medical education and health education to meet with principal secretary, finance to take out solution in this matter. Additional chief secretary RS Julania said he would not favour covering small hospitals under the scheme.
He said the scheme should cover government hospitals and big private hospitals. He said every family was insured for medical treatment of five lakhs per year. He feared private hospitals and people might manipulate the provisions of the scheme for commercial gains in the name of the scheme.
Gauri Singh, commenting on the matter, said there were filters to check the misuse of the scheme. The scheme would increase the burden of patients on hospitals. Chief secretary instructed the officials to make arrangements in this regard.
Additional chief secretary Iqbal Singh Bains said the scheme should not be made rigid as a patient comes to a hospital when it is very necessary. He feared the rigidity in the scheme would further increase the problems of the patient.
Discussion on rechristening scheme as ‘Niramay’
The officials in their meeting also discussed on rechristening the Ayushman scheme as ‘Niramay’. The Centre has given liberty to the centre to implement the scheme as per their convenience. The scheme is also termed as Modi Care across the nation.
