Siddaramaiah govt. is all set to announce free health bhagya for all

BENGALURU: With an eye on the upcoming assembly elections, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government is all set to announce a free health bhagya for all.

Under this healthcare coverage, free medical treatment will be available for everyone in both government and private hospitals. If implemented, Karnataka will be the first state in the country to offer free treatment in government and private hospitals.

Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar, in his written reply to JD(S) MLA K Gopaliah in the assembly on Thursday, said one should not distinguish between the rich and the poor when it comes to health ailments.

“Our government wants to provide free primary, secondary and tertiary medical treatment to all. One can get treatment at primary health centres, community health centres, taluk hospitals, district hospitals, government medical colleges and hospitals, and even private hospitals with whom the government signed agreement,” he said. 

He also Aadhaar card-enabled health cards will be issued. At present only BPL and APL cardholders can get treatment at select hospitals.

Kumar told the House that the government would bring the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act, which would act as supplement to the initiative.  “There is no dearth of funds and it will come in the next cabinet meeting for approval,” he said.

Kumar said for prolonged illness or treatment, medicines will be provided free of cost.“Health schemes under various departments will be brought under the universal health scheme. Under Rashtriya Arogya Rakshana scheme, the Union government will give funds to the state government.”