CM Kejriwal thanks Hon’ble LG for concurring with Quality Health-care for all decision

·         CM had discussed the matter with hon’ble LG last week

·         Hon’ble LG had earlier asked the Cabinet to reconsider its decision

Delhi Chief Minister, Shri Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday thanked the hon’ble Lieutenant Governor for concurring with the cabinet decision on providing Quality Healthcare for all residents of Delhi, following the CM’s meeting with him last week.

Hon’ble @LtGovDelhi approves “Quality Health for all” scheme without income criteria. Thank u so much sir.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 16, 2018

The hon’ble LG had earlier sent back the cabinet decision (dated 12/12/2017) for reconsideration suggesting that an income criteria be applied on the proposal for ratification of amendments in the eligibility criteria for availing financial assistance for specified high-end diagnostic tests/surgeries in private radiological centres/hospitals through Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK).

On behalf of the people of Delhi, the elected government appreciates the hon’ble LG for agreeing with the cabinet decision of implementing the scheme without any limit of income criteria, following discussions.

So far, more than 12,000 people have availed the benefit of Delhi government scheme of getting their surgeries done free of cost in the empanelled private medical institutions on being referred from Delhi government hospitals, Mohalla and Polyclinics in the year 2017.

BACKGROUND

Delhi is one of the fastest growing metropolis with a population of more than 16 million. Various medical institutions in the government sector cater to the needs of the residents of the national capital.

It is a fact that these medical institutions have limited resources in conducting high end diagnostic tests and surgeries, particularly patients with an emergency cannot be expected to wait.

It is important to provide all facilities in government hospitals, but till such time this is done, patients with acute medical ailments cannot be left at the mercy of private hospitals.

Therefore, the Delhi government came up with the scheme of getting these tests and surgeries done without any waiting list and the government is bearing the cost of these tests/surgeries.

Under this scheme, the government is currently facilitating 52 specified surgeries free of cost at private hospitals in Delhi/NCR. There is no income limit for residents of Delhi, those who are allotted a date of surgery after 30 days of diagnosis at one of the 24 specified government hospitals in the city to avail the scheme.

Delhi government wants to ensure that people, irrespective of their economic status, get best health and education facilities. Health services in private sector are so expensive that if anyone suffers from any ailment, the biggest worry for the family is not the health of the patient but where the money would come from. Now there is no need to worry sine the Delhi government is ensuring that the patient gets best treatment free of cost.

The 52 specified surgeries include heart bypass, cataract surgery and 17 types of kidney operations. Patients can avail the services at private hospitals in Delhi/NCR . Besides Aadhaar cards, patients can submit voter ID or driving licence as proof of Delhi address to avail the services.