World Bank to seek Indias help in health insurance for poor

In an indication that the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is gaining international attention,the World Bank has sounded out India that it would soon ask it to share its experience in running the programme with other countries which seek to put in place such health insurance plans for the poor.

It is learnt that the World Bank has conveyed to India that interest in the RSBY,the cashless,paperless health insurance scheme for below poverty line (BPL) families in the unorganised sector which became operational in April last year,and its approach is being expressed in a number of countries.

In the near future,we will be requesting your assistance in disseminating your experience with these governments as they too seek to address the health insurance issue in their respective countries, the World Bank said in a communication to the Labour Ministry which implements the scheme.

The programme caught the attention of several countries after Indian officials made a detailed presentation about its design and implementation at the World Banks Annual Human Development Forum meeting held in Washington last year.