GUWAHATI: Assam government on Thursday distributed cheques among beneficiaries under its innovative Atal Amrit Abhiyan aimed are providing succour to people suffering from some select life-threatening diseases.
“Providing quality healthcare to the poorest of the poor of the society is a prime commitment of the state government and we are well on our way to fulfil this dream where everyone in the society would get an opportunity to live a life dignity.” Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said while taking part as the chief guest in the cheque distribution ceremony of Atal Amrit Abhiyan to 6093 beneficiaries at Veterinary College Playground, Khanapara in the city.
Atal Amrit Ahiyan is a unique health assurance scheme launched by the Government of Assam on December 25, 2016 for the benefit of economically poor people of the State. Under the scheme patients suffering from six critical diseases such as cancer, cardio vascular disease, kidney disorder, neurological conditions, burn injuries and neo-natal complications get monetary assistance upto 2 lakh rupees a year.
In the next phase, Atal Amrit Abhiyan would roll out card-based payment system where a family with an income of Rs 5 lakhs or less would be able to take benefit of quality healthcare by producing the card at the empanelled hospitals throughout the state and the country.
Terming the Atal Amrit Abhiyan scheme as revolutionary which would bring succour to the underprivileged section of the society in fighting critical diseases, Sonowal appreciated the Health and Family Welfare Department and National Health Mission for turning such a scheme into reality in a record time. Saying that the opening of the Cancer Hospital in Guwahati Medical College and Hospital has displayed the government’s commitment in bringing positive change to the people’s lives, Sonowal said new medical colleges being built in places such as Dhubri, Nagaon, Lakhimpur etc., would boost the healthcare system in a big way.
Referring to Bhupen Hazarika’s song “Manuhe Manuhor Babe”, Chief Minister Sonowal said that Atal Amrit Abhiyan, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Bajpayee who took many steps to develop the state and the Northeast region during his tenure, was a manifestation of feelings of compassion towards fellow human beings so that everyone can live a life dignity. He also urged the people to come forward spontaneously to take advantage of Atal Amrit Abhiyan scheme and join the government in spreading awareness about it.
Saying that the state government is committed to remove corruption from the system as lots of anti corruption measures have already been taken, Sonowal urged the people of the state to maintain peace and harmony without getting influenced by the evil designs of the anti social elements trying to foment trouble in the society.
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that that the government has taken key measures for social security of all sections of the society. He informed about the ‘Pranam’ bill of the government which would mandatorily make government employees take care of their aged parents as upon receiving a complain of negligence from the parents, 15 percent of the employee’s salary would be given to the aged parents and 10 percent to Dibyang (differently able) and unmarried siblings.
Informing that Atal Amrit Cards would be activated from 25 December 2017, Sarma said that till December 24 all medical expenditure incurred by patients from now would be eligible for reimbursement. Saying that Rs 150 crore has been allotted in the State Budget for the scheme.
It may also be noted that under the scheme 3459 number of cancer patients, 1060 patients with cardio vascular diseases, 881 patients with kidney disease, 606 patients with neurological conditions, 52 patients with burn injuries and 35 patients with neo natal diseases were given cheques on Thursday.