Bengal government extends 'Swasthya Sathi’ health scheme for all

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided to expand the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ health scheme in order to cover the entire population of the state.

While drawing parallels with centre’s Ayushman Bharat health scheme which is being run on a 60:40 ratio, she highlighted that ‘Swasthya Sathi’ will entirely be funded by the government of West Bengal.

The Chief Minister also informed that the decision of expanding the health scheme will be applicable from December 1, 2020.

Earlier, the government had decided to enroll at least 7.5 crore people under the scheme but with the latest announcement, every family in West Bengal, be it a child or an old woman and an old man, irrespective of their religious identity will be included under Swasthya Sathi scheme.

Swasthya Sathi is a health scheme which was officially launched by the West Bengal government in December 2016. The scheme is basically a health cover for the secondary and tertiary care of up to Rs. 5 lakh per annum per family.

The state government has informed that the health cards will be issued to the women guardian of every family in the state. The cards will be distributed from December 1.

While informing about the expansion of the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ Scheme, West Bengal CM noted that the central government gives only 60 percent of the Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme. She added that if the citizens will need to pay 2.5 lakh for a scheme of Rs. 5 lakhs, they why they will opt for it.

She further highlighted that if the central government wants to pay 100% of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme then she will definitely welcome the scheme in the state.