Punjab Cooperative Societies to be covered under health scheme

Chandigarh, June 1 (UNI) The Punjab Government would launch Bhai Ghanhya Sehat Sewa Scheme from September 1 to provide quality medical treatment to the members of all the Cooperative Societies of the state.

This decision was taken in a meeting of Bhai Ghanhya Trust held here under the chairmanship of Cooperation Minister Capt Kanwaljit Singh.

Capt Singh informed that the new comprehensive scheme would benefit more than 10 lakh members of Cooperative Societies by arranging quality medical treatment to them and their dependents in prestigious hospitals. It was also decided in the meeting to revise the definition of family of members of Cooperative Societies by including widows and divorcee daughters of the family.

The Cooperation Minister said that this scheme would provide cashless treatment in case of any medical/surgical treatment where hospitaliaation exceeding 24 hours was required. Any member and his dependent would get the treatment under the Scheme either in empanelled private hospital or in the Government Hospital upto a maximum of Rs two lakh per annum on family floater basis.

Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Eye Surgery, Lithotripsy Tonsillectomy, Coronary Angiography are also covered under the scheme.

He said that every female member or dependent would be provided facility for delivery upto Rs 10,000 or upto a maximum of Rs 25,000 in a year for the birth of children. The newly born child after admission to hospital would be automatically covered under this scheme.

Each member is required to pay a nominal fixed premium annually and an additional premium of 10 per cent and 15 per cent for dependent members below 60 years and above 60 years to less than 75 years, respectively.

Capt Singh disclosed that number of private hospitals have already been empanelled under the scheme and this number would be increased. He said that at least two hospitals in each block would be brought under this scheme to provide health services to the members without any inconvenience.

The list of empanelled hospitals would include super specialty hospitals. Each member and his dependent would be able to avail cashless treatment in the enlisted private or the government hospitals. This scheme is to be implemented by the Bhai Ghanhya trust under the Chairmanship of the Cooperation Minister.

Capt Singh directed the concerned authorities to include members and employees of all Cooperative Societies and their dependents in this prestigious scheme as the earlier Sanjivni Health Care Scheme was limited to the members of Rural Cooperatives only.

The Cooperation Minister, the Chief Secretary and the Financial Commissioner Cooperation would act as Chairman, Senior Vice Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Trust respectively, while the Registrar Cooperative Societies will be the Deputy Chairman. Besides this, MD, Punjab State Cooperative Bank Ltd, Director Health Services, elected Chairman/Director of Punjab State Cooperative Bank and Markfed would be the trustees.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Ms Kusumjit Sidhu, Financial Commissioner Cooperation and Mr Viswajit Khanna, Registrar Cooperative Societies.

UNI