AP govt to distribute 'Health cards' to BPL families

Hyderabad, Aug 5 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today announced that 1.80 crore health cards would be distributed to families below the poverty line under the 'Arogya Sri' health scheme in the state.

The scheme, launched in three districts on a pilot basis last year, would be introduced in all districts by the end of November 2008, covering all BPL families to avail free medical treatment in network hospitals. The health cards would be distributed to all those living below poverty line in a phased manner, an official release said here today.

More than 80 lakh poor had been benefited by getting advanced medical treatment since the scheme was introduced, he said adding that the government also allocated Rs 70 crore for Arogya Sri this year.

1,638 government doctors would be recruited in all Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and district hospitals to meet the requirements, Dr Reddy announced. The government allocated Rs 146 crore to supply medicines to all PHCs in 2007-08, as against Rs 61 crore allocated in 2003-04, the release added.

UNI