GUWAHATI, March 29 - �Following the motto of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, the State government is committed to development of all sections of society, and the Atal Amrit Abhiyan is one such step to bring quality healthcare within the reach of the poorest of the poor,� Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said while taking part as the chief guest in the third phase of the cheque distribution ceremony of the Atal Amrit Abhiyan at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in the city today, where 6,115 beneficiaries were distributed cheques at a total cost of Rs 39.69 crore.
The Atal Amrit Abhiyan is a unique health assurance scheme launched by the Government of Assam on December 25, 2016, for the benefit of economically poor people of the State.
Under the scheme, patients suffering from six critical diseases � cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney disorder, neurological conditions, burn injuries and neo-natal complications � get monetary assistance up to Rs 2 lakh each. A family of five would be eligible for a maximum of Rs 10 lakh, with Rs 2 lakh for each member.
In the previous two rounds, a total of 9,329 beneficiaries received cheques for a total amount of Rs 53.73 crore under the scheme as reimbursement for the expenditure incurred for medical treatment.
After this round of reimbursement mode, beneficiaries with an income of Rs 5 lakh or less would be able to take the benefit of cashless card-based system to receive quality healthcare by producing the card at the empanelled hospitals throughout the State and the country. More than 1.5 crore people have enrolled for the card system in the State under the Atal Amrit Abhiyan till February 2018.
Terming the scheme as revolutionary, he lauded the Health and Family Welfare Dept and the National Health Mission for making it a reality. Stating that the government has made education free for students till the college level and also took action to provide Rs 1,000 allowance per month to the Divyangs, the Chief Minister said initiatives like the Atal Amrit Abhiyan in the health sector and Gunotsav in the education sector are bringing positive transformation and reflecting an earnestness in the area of governance.
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this is the final round of reimbursements and from now on card holders under the scheme would be able take benefit of cashless healthcare system.
