Govt announces health scheme, Rs 1-lakh insurance per family

The government on Monday announced a health protection scheme, under which a cover of Rs 1 lakh per family will be provided and around 3,000 medical stores will be opened across the country to provide quality medicines at affordable prices. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who presented his third Budget, said senior citizens would be applicable for an additional top-up of Rs 30,000.

With focus on people living in rural areas, the government will provide funds for setting up 3,000 Jan Aushadhi stores, where one can purchase generic medicines at affordable rates. 

A National Dialysis programme has also been devised, given the high costs of renal dialysis. Under this programme, every district hospital will be equipped to treat rural people, who have to travel to cities for treatment. As many as 2,000 new centres are expected to be set up across the country.

Health Minister JP Nadda said: “The Budget has given the required impetus to the health sector and my ministry is all set to implement the schemes announced in the Budget.” 

Indian Medical Association’s secretary general said the schemes announced in the Budget are health-friendly.

“The Budget proposal for healthcare covering weaker sections of the society is a path-breaking step. The proposal to set up 3,000 medical stores under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana is the first-of-its-kind initiative at such a scale,” said Om Manchanda, CEO, Lal PathLabs.