Megh to join national health mission

SHILLONG, JUNE 14: Meghalaya would join the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission also known as Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swashthya Suraksha Mission on a convergence mode with Megha Health Insurance Scheme transitioning to the National Health Insurance Scheme.

This was asserted by  AL Hek, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, who was present during the Ayushman Bharat National Health Minister’s Conclave at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today.The consultative conference was convened by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which was attended by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, J.P. Nadda and Health and Family Welfare Ministers from other states.

Speaking during the occasion, Hek outlined the features of the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) which is in its third phase of implementation since its launch in 2012.

The successful scheme which has won several awards like Skoch Order of Merit and shortlisted for the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in 2014 has enrolled 4,36,788 households benefiting 15,57,008 persons in 201 empanelled hospitals all over the state and country.

Under the MHIS the existing health insurance cover is Rs.2,80,000 while the new ambitious National Health Protection Mission shall provide health insurance cover of Rs 5,00,000.

The number of households identified by Government of India for the National Health Protection Mission is 3,39,779 households while the balance number of beneficiaries shall be covered by the state government with the same cover which is proposed at the level of the central scheme.

Hek informed in the conclave today that the Government of Meghalaya would universalize the National Health Protection Mission to cover all eligible households co-branding with MHIS so that the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Swashthya Suraksha Mission or National Health Protection Mission is availed by people of Meghalaya all over the country with empanelled hospitals.

The state MoU today was signed by Pravin Bakshi, Secretary Health and Family Welfare Dept and Chief Executive Officer Megha Health Insurance Scheme in the presence of Minister Health and Family Welfare .

By Our Reporter