Have Hospitalisations Under Bengal’s Health Insurance Scheme Crossed 1 Crore?
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Synopsis
West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that the state's health insurance scheme, Swasthya Sathi, has reached a significant milestone of 1 crore hospitalizations. This achievement highlights the government's commitment to providing cashless healthcare to its citizens, although it faces criticism for not adopting the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Key Takeaways
- Swasthya Sathi scheme has crossed 1 crore hospitalisations.
- Cashless healthcare benefits amounting to Rs 13,156 crore have been provided.
- Eligibility includes any resident of West Bengal not covered by other schemes.
- Criticism exists regarding the scheme's territorial restrictions.
- Private hospitals have occasionally declined to honor the scheme.
Kolkata, Nov 3 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, announced on Monday that the cumulative hospitalisations under the state's health insurance initiative, Swasthya Sathi, surpassed the remarkable milestone of one crore as of October 31.
In her social media update, Banerjee revealed that up to that point, a total of Rs 13,156 crore in cashless healthcare benefits had been disbursed to the residents of West Bengal, funded entirely by the state budget.
She emphasized that any individual residing in West Bengal can access the advantages of Swasthya Sathi, provided they are not part of any other state-sponsored initiative. More than 8.5 crore people in West Bengal are currently enrolled in the scheme, she noted.
Banerjee highlighted that an advanced IT framework and timely payments to healthcare partners have facilitated quicker and dependable service for beneficiaries. The West Bengal government stands firmly with you during challenging times, the Chief Minister assured.
These statements come amidst criticism directed at the West Bengal government for its refusal to implement the national health insurance program, Ayushman Bharat, in favor of promoting Swasthya Sathi.
BJP leaders have pointed out a significant limitation of Swasthya Sathi: the health insurance benefits are only applicable for hospitalisations occurring within West Bengal.
Moreover, since the inception of the Swasthya Sathi program, there have been multiple reports of private hospitals or nursing homes declining to honor the scheme. The state Health Department has previously issued warnings to such institutions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also criticized the state government on several occasions for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
In contrast, the ruling Trinamool Congress has claimed that every citizen of West Bengal can benefit from the Swasthya Sathi scheme without any financial prerequisites, unlike the Ayushman Bharat program, which imposes certain conditions.
Point of View
The announcement made by West Bengal's Chief Minister reflects significant progress in state-sponsored healthcare initiatives. While the achievements are commendable, the ongoing criticisms regarding the exclusive nature of the Swasthya Sathi scheme and its limitations highlight the need for comprehensive healthcare coverage for all citizens. Balancing state and national health initiatives is crucial for equitable healthcare access.
NationPress
05/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Swasthya Sathi scheme?
The Swasthya Sathi scheme is West Bengal's own health insurance initiative that provides cashless healthcare benefits to its residents.
How many hospitalisations have been reported under the scheme?
As of October 31, the total hospitalisations under the Swasthya Sathi scheme reached one crore.
Who is eligible for the Swasthya Sathi scheme?
Any resident of West Bengal who is not covered by another state-sponsored scheme can avail themselves of the benefits of the Swasthya Sathi scheme.
What is the amount of cashless health care benefits provided?
The cashless health care benefits provided under the scheme total Rs 13,156 crore from the state budget.
Why has the scheme faced criticism?
Critics argue that the scheme only covers hospitalisations within West Bengal and that private hospitals have sometimes refused to honor it.
