Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 27: The Chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee, Mr. TSG Bhasker has expressed his deep concerns regarding the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and significant issues being faced by the patients of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Bhasker stated that the primary issue in Ayushman Bharat Scheme is the absence of empaneled hospitals and unavailability of Multi-Specialty Hospitals within the Islands, forcing patients to travel to the mainland for treatment which not only incurs high travel costs but also delays critical medical care, particularly for those requiring urgent attention.
“Patients often find themselves bearing expenses that far exceed the ₹5 lakh benefit provided under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, making it financially burdensome during already challenging times. Additionally, for patients who require stretcher services, the expenses can escalate to nearly ₹2.5 lakh just for airlifting the patient and if the patient needs Oxygen Support or goes along with an attendant it will cost more than 3 lakh, only for one way travel”, said Mr. Bhasker.
He added that, it is even sadder to see that when patients from our Islands somehow manage the expense of travelling to the mainland and get admitted in the hospital, the medical professionals in mainland hospitals ask them to get several tests done from private clinics outside the hospital, which increases their sufferings. This type of Service forces the poor patient to take loans which he/she can’t repay and enables them to sell their hard earned property/land for treatment purposes.
“This Scheme is only beneficial for patients who reside in Mainland and not in the Islands as they have multiple empanelled hospitals in their own State, due to which they do not have to face financial burden of accommodation, food, travelling or airlifting the patient”, mentioned Mr. Bhasker.
He further added that under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, the Government is entitled to reimburse the cost of travelling through air or ship as chosen by the patients. But it is seen in our Islands that the Medical Department is only reimbursing the cost of a Ship ticket to all patients even if they travel by Air.
Hence, considering the inefficiency of Ayushman Bharat Scheme to cater the needs of patients of A&N Islands, Mr. Bhasker requested the Minister to Re-implement the ANISHI (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Health Insurance) Scheme, which was tailored to better meet the unique healthcare needs of our Islands.
Also he requested for Permanent Appointment of Specialists in G.B Pant Hospital so that maximum patients can seek treatment locally and also to Reduce the cost of transporting stretcher patients through flight from 2.5 lakh to a reasonable level.
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