Now, PMjAY scheme to help TN patients

Chennai: At a time when the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) is receiving good response in the state, the recently launched centre's health scheme — Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) — is another shot in the arm for patients, who can take treatment anywhere in the country.

Officials from Tamil Nadu Health System Project (TNHSP), which would be a state health agency, said the increased health coverage from Rs 1 lakh to '5 lakh would save many ailing patients from various treatments.

According to officials, even as the state implemented PMJAY very recently, people in large number are at a loss to distinguish between CMCHIS and PMJAY. Although there is no much difference between these two schemes, two factors - cost of the treatment per year and number of hospitals play assume significance.

"Definitely, PMJAY is a beneficial one. Since patients can take treatment anywhere in the country under this scheme, it will be more helpful of persons who are out of state," said Sivaram Kannan, a consultant physician, Kauvery hospital, Chennai. He suggested that if the government considered allotting reasonable payment for treatments, more number of hospitals would opt for this scheme, while patients too could easily approach those eligible hospitals for undergoing treat-ment.

When contacted by Deccan Chronicle, P. Uma Maheswari, project director, TNHSP, said, "It is a well-known fact that Tamil Nadu is a hub for medical tourism. In such a condition, the PMJAY will pave the way for common people to take expensive treatments at free of cost." The funds for this scheme will be shared by both Centre and state at 60:40 ratios respectively," she added.

A total of 77 lakhs poor and vulnerable families will benefit from accessing to this scheme and those families were selected as per SECC (Socio Economic and Caste Census).