By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government is determined to implement the Universal Health Insurance Scheme within the current financial year from the non-plan expenditure.
Informing this on Thursday, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said this scheme, which would benefit over 30 lakh people in the State including those from low- and middle-income households currently without health coverage, would be implemented within the current financial year.
Dr Sangma made the announcement while inaugurating the Casualty Unit and Endoscopic Facility at the Shillong Civil Hospital here on Thursday.
Explaining the delays in implementing this scheme, Dr Sangma said the clearance from the Centre to implement this scheme was received very late as the scheme was linked with the external aided fund from the Asian Development Bank and the Union Ministry of Finance.
“But nevertheless, the Union Finance Ministry has cleared the scheme relating to up-scaling of the Health Infrastructure in Meghalaya,” Dr Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said all the details have already been worked out and the scheme would ensure broad coverage for the families, allowing them to obtain quality healthcare and specialized treatment close to their homes.
Dr Sangma also claimed that health facilities available at the civil hospitals in Shillong and Tura were at par with the facilities available in the metros of the country.
“The State Government is all out to ensure that the primary health centres, community health centres and the hospitals are improved at a faster pace,” Dr Sangma said, adding that such initiatives would attract the patients to come to Government health centres for treatment and help the common people avail the health facilities.
Stating that the State Government has so far implemented many of the Central flagship programmes, particularly with regards to the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the Chief Minister said the State Government is making efforts to provide better health care to the people.
“In this regard, the State Government had provided the State’s share of 10 per cent fund in implementation of the NHRM programmes,” he informed the gathering.
The Chief Minister also asked the health fraternity to work in synergy, as the Government Health Centre was dealing with various kinds of ailments and diseases, which needed the cooperation of doctors, nurses and other staff.
“There is always room for improvement in re-dedicating our services for others,” the Chief Minister added.