Pune: its best to COVID-19 patients under the state’s Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has also expressed his disappointment over under-execution of the scheme.
In a meeting held last week in Pune, Ajit Pawar asked officials to take strict action against the empanelled hospitals who are found at fault. So far, the administration has sought suggestions from these hospitals on measures to increase the scope of benefits to avail by the people irrespective of their financial status. Basically, the scheme allows free treatment to the patients who cannot afford the healthcare facility.
Ayush Prasad, vice-president of the District Grievance Redressal and Monitoring Committee pointed out, “The aim is to ensure more patients can avail of the scheme’s benefits. We asked for the suggestions about the new line of treatment that could be added under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. Along with it, asked for the reasons for not implementing the scheme in its capacity.
According to a senior doctor, “Under the scheme, hospitals are paid Rs.65, 000 for a patient on ventilator support and Rs25,000 for a patient on oxygen support irrespective of the number of days a patient is on ventilator or oxygen support. The payment structure needs to be revamped to enable hospitals to extend the benefit to most patients”.
Amol Maske, regional manager of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana in Pune, “the scheme provides medical insurance of Rs 1.5 lakh to every household without any rider”.
Sanjay Patil, chairman of the Indian Medical Association’s Hospital Board of India exclaimed. “The Pune Metropolitan Region has 120 hospitals treating Covid-19 patients but the scheme can be availed of at 52 empanelled hospitals”