Implement Centre’s health scheme for people’s benefit: Union Health Minister to state
Recently, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated willingness to rejoin the scheme if the Centre was committed to fully fund it.
2 min read
Mandaviya was in Kolkata on Friday to review various health schemes. (Express File Photo)
Underlining that the Central government is taking measures to uphold “highest standards” of healthcare in the state, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday urged the West Bengal government to implement Centre’s health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, for the benefit of common people.
Mandaviya was in Kolkata on Friday to review various health schemes. Launched in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) offers an annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh to eligible families.
Notably, three of the 33 states – Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal – have stayed out of the central scheme. West Bengal exited from the scheme in 2019, alleging that the Central government was “unjustly” claiming credit for its success.
Recently, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated willingness to rejoin the scheme if the Centre was committed to fully fund it.
Meanwhile, Mandaviya said resources have been provided to West Bengal under the National Health Mission. Altogether, 800 sub-centres have been approved at a cost of Rs 288.72 crore, while two urban community health centres have been approved at a cost of Rs 10 crore and 37 new urban PHCs at a cost of Rs 27.75 crore.
Besides, 404 Ayushman Bharat urban health and wellness centres have been sanctioned, he added. The Union Health Minister also reviewed the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme and the status of funds released under the National Health Mission. He said, “The Centre is committed to eliminating tuberculosis by 2025. We are taking all necessary steps to ensure that the funds released under the National Health Mission are utilised effectively.”
You May Like
