Sonowal launches Atal-Amrit Abhiyan

Launched synchronising with the 92nd birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Atal-Amrit Abhiyan is a health assurance scheme which will give comprehensive coverage for six disease groups.

The health assurance scheme will cover all individuals in eligible families with annual income below Rs. 5 lakh both BPL and APL. 437 diseases that would be covered this scheme have been again segregated in six disease groups namely cardiovascular diseases, cancer, kidney diseases, neo-natal diseases, neurological conditions and burns.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Sonowal said that health always remains a commitment to the present Government and with the launching of Atal-Amrit Abhiyan, access to quality treatment will be a reality for the all the citizens.

Emphasising that health is wealth, Sonowal  said that Atal-Amrit Abhiyan is an endeavour of the government to make quality health care affordable to every individual member of a family thereby helping him to enjoy sound body, mind and health.

"With the launching of the scheme, a roadmap for quality and affordable health care delivery system have been drawn as he called upon all sections of the people to extend all possible help towards success of the scheme," Sonowal said.

“It is indeed an honour on the part of the Government to have launched a health scheme after the name of Atal Behari Vajpayee who took several painstaking efforts to bring North East in the agenda of priorities of the Centre who took the initiative in creating DoNER and NLCPR, a budgetary resource from the Centre to ensure speedy development of the North East,” the Assam CM said.

He also said that the scheme has the potential of making the dream of Deendayal Upadhaya a success- that  is  making the health care facilities accessible and affordable to all.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma while speaking on the occasion said that launching the health assurance scheme was infect a tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his keen interests for inspiring positive development for the North East.

Terming it as the biggest health care initiative by any State Government Dr. Sarma mentioned that the financial outlet for the scheme will be Rs. 200 crore as the government is committed to make the amount available to ensure health for targetted people of the State.

It may be noted that coverage under the scheme will be up to Rs. 2 lakh annually for critical health care costs.

The Assurance will be cashless at the point of delivery and all the members of an eligible family will be given a laminated health card with unique identification number to avail of facilities under the scheme.

A separate society will also be set up under the aegis of Department of Health and Family Welfare which will be responsible for administration of the scheme.

Several MLAs and senior Government officers along with a host of dignitaries were present on the occasion.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)