3 lakh patients treated free of cost: HP health minister

Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar


As many as 3 lakh persons have been provided free of cost treatment under Himachal Pradesh Universal Health Protection Scheme (HPUHPS) by spending Rs 166.85 crore.

This was disclosed by Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar here on Monday.
He said the state government was committed to provide better healthcare facilities to every person and various health schemes were being implemented to provide free of cost treatment to those categories who were unable to afford treatment due to economic reasons.

State was implementing its own scheme namely, Mukhya Mantri State Health Care Scheme for categories which are not covered under RSBY such as Senior Citizens above 80 years of age, Ekal Naaris, Anganwari Workers/Helpers, Mid-Day meal workers, Part Time Workers, Daily Wage Workers, Contract Employees and Persons with more than 70 percent disability, he added.

He said more than 1.05 lakh smart cards had been issued under the Scheme which was being implemented on assurance mode. Cashless treatment of Rs. 6.25 crore to the 8000 patients has been given, he added.

With a view to provide basic and critical care coverage to families not covered under any health scheme, the state had launched Himachal Pradesh Universal Health Protection Scheme, he said, adding that the beneficiary family would pay Rs. 1 per day which is Rs. 365 in a year for their health protection under the scheme.

“As of today, 41260 families had been registered under the scheme. The enrolment process was on and there was target to enroll about 5 lakh families. The scheme is providing health assurance coverage of Rs. 30,000 for common ailments, Rs. 1.75 lakh for critical diseases. For cancer the critical care limit is Rs. 2.25 lakh per year on family floater basis,” he said.

He said online registration facility had been started and the family will register online by paying premium of Rs. 365 and visit the enrolment station for giving the biometric, photograph etc. and collect the smart card.

He said more than 1200 patients were given cashless treatment of Rs. 60 lakh under the scheme.