More than 4.27 lakh patients have benefited from the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme, as per official data.
Delhi Arogya Kosh’ has been providing free implants, tests, surgeries and excellent health facilities for families from economically weaker sections who often feel helpless during treatment. As per official data between the years 2017 to March 2022, more than 4.27 lakh patients have benefited from this scheme. And for this, Rs 168.43 crore has been spent by the Arvind Kejriwal-led government so far.
WHAT IS THE ‘DELHI AROGYA KOSH’ SCHEME:
There are 4 schemes under the name of Delhi Arogya Kosh which include financial support from the government for medical implants, various types of surgeries, 136 types of medical tests and the Farishtey scheme for treatment of accident victims.
Under this scheme, if any citizen of Delhi goes to Delhi government hospitals for treatment and has to face a waiting period for examination or treatment and the patient needs immediate care, then the patient can avail the above-mentioned services in a private hospital with a doctor’s reference.
Cashless check-ups and treatment will be provided for them in all the empanelled hospitals and the cost of this will be borne by the government. Under this scheme, every citizen of Delhi who has Delhi’s voter card can get treatment. Children below 19 years of age can avail this facility on the basis of their parents’ voter cards.
SCHEMES UNDER DELHI AROGYA KOSH :
1. Financial assistance up to 5 lakh for different types of medical implants:
As per the data provided by the Delhi government, under this scheme, the government provides financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh to the patients. To avail benefit of this scheme, patients need to submit their application and relevant documents. After their screening, the government bears the cost of implants and the treatment of the patient up to Rs 5 lakh. It is a cashless scheme. Under this scheme, in the last 5 years, 5028 people have taken advantage of it and the government has given Rs 47.61 crore for this.
2. 136 free medical test facility at private labs for patients:
The Delhi government has empanelled various private hospitals and diagnostic centres with government hospitals. So, in the case of a long waiting list at government hospitals, patients can get the tests done at private hospitals or labs.
Under this scheme, patients can get about 136 types of medical tests done for free. Under this, while waiting in a government hospital, patients can get all medical tests from private hospitals and labs free of cost, including X-ray, MRI, PET scan, CT scan and ultrasound. Under this scheme, in the last 5 years, more than 3.91 lakh people have availed free medical tests from private hospitals and labs and the government has given Rs 67.34 crore for this.
3. Free Surgery Scheme for patients to get the surgery done in private hospitals:
Under this scheme of Delhi Arogya Kosh, if a patient goes to Delhi government hospital for treatment and has to undergo surgery but the waiting time is more than 30 days, then patients can avail free surgery in private hospitals under the ‘Free Surgery Scheme’ of the Kejriwal Government.
The government bears all the expenses incurred in the surgery. Under this scheme, 11,669 people have availed free and cashless surgery in the last 5 years and the government has given Rs 24.37 crores for this.
4. Accident victim’s free treatment :
The Farishtey Scheme is also covered under Delhi Arogya Kosh. Under this scheme, if a person meets with an accident, he or she is provided immediate treatment in a government hospital for free and if the patient gets admitted within 72 hours of an accident, he or she can also avail treatment at a private hospital for free.
All the expenses of patients will be borne by the Delhi government. In the last 3 years, 18,919 people have availed the benefits of this scheme and thousands of lives have been saved due to immediate treatment. Meanwhile, the government has given Rs 28.11 crore for this so far.
