Jaya insurance scheme a boon to govt hospitals
The CM’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) that has been in operation since 2012.
Chennai: The CM’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) that has been in operation since 2012 is now turning out to be a boon for government hospitals in the city as they not only procure the latest equipment, but also use it for infrastructure development of hospitals.
Five hospitals, attached to the Madras Medical College — Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children, Egmore, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Government Hospital for Women and Children, Egmore, Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children and Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital, have generated nearly Rs 75 crore through the insurance.
Dean of MMC Dr V. Kanagasabai says that of the total amount, Rs 10 crore has been used to purchase equipment, such as operating microscope for use in neurosurgery (Rs 1.5 crore), dialysis machines and anesthesia work stations among others.
“We have placed an order for Fibroscan, a new instrument that utilises a form of ultrasonography to measure the stiffness of the liver without entering it. The instrument costs nearly Rs 1.5 crore. Thanks to the CM’s insurance we can serve patients better with the latest equipment,” he said.
Nearly 821 hospitals are part of this scheme out of which 120 are government hospitals. Every member of a family whose annual income is less than Rs 72,000 as certified by VAO is eligible for free medical and surgical treatment in government and private hospitals. Of the total amount generated, hospitals use 15 per cent for incentives to staff.
The Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, with an inflow of 8,000 out patients a day, has generated about Rs 26 crore through the insurance. Hospital dean Dr S. Geethalakshmi said that they used the amount for purchasing various equipment, drugs and also for the cleanliness of the hospital.
Government Royapettah Hospital has so far generated Rs 12 crore, and Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, with an amount of nearly Rs 11.5 crore, uses 50 per cent of it for procuring equipment, such as pulse oxymeters and implants, among other items.