Opposition slams Govt over delay in MHIS-III

SHILLONG: The Opposition on Thursday highlighted the maladies due to the delay in implementation of State’s health scheme, MHIS-III.
During the question hour, Opposition members wanted to know the reason for the delay in implementing the third phase of Megha Health Insurance Scheme.
The coverage of Phase 2 of the scheme stopped last October resulting in hardships for the poor.
To a question by UDP’s Donkupar Roy, Health Minister Roshan Warjri said the delay in Phase 3 was due to repeated tendering process.
“However, the tendering process has been completed after calling it three times, and now the clearance from the Centre is awaited,” Warjri said.
The scheme is likely to start next month, she said.
To a supplementary question, Warjri said the beneficiaries will not be able to make any claim for the period from October last.
UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh pointed out that there was tardy implementation of the vital government programme.
Answering a supplementary question by Metbah Lyngdoh, also from UDP, Warjri said the scheme is 90 per cent centrally funded.
Metbah suggested that the government should extend coverage to the people of rural areas.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said the scheme was initiated in a convergence       mode topping up the RSBY scheme of the Centre with additional coverage for the beneficiaries of the Sate.
The additional coverage includes health facilities for senior citizens and critical care and cancer treatment.
Independent legislator Saleng Sangma suggested that the government should depend exclusively on RSBY and the money meant to converge the scheme should be spent on making CHCs and PHCs properly functional with adequate medical staff.
The chief minister agreed to the suggestion of the member.
K.P Pangniang of HSPDP wanted the government to speed up the implementation of the scheme.