Mediclaim for children with cerebral palsy, birth defects

Panaji, Mar 5 (UNI) Goa Government has decided to cover children with cerebral palsy and birth defects under the mediclaim/medical reimbursement scheme to the tune of Rs eight lakh.

Speaking to reporters here today after the Cabinet had approved the proposal, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, in presence of Health Minister Viswajeet Rane said the scheme was first of its kind in India.

Most of the health insurance schemes now in vogue do not cover cerebral palsy and congenital disorders such as skeletal defects, forcing the parents to go bankrupt, Mr Kamat said.

The parents of children with these disorders will get the benefit ranging from Rs five lakh spread over eight years upto a maximum of Rs eight lakh to help them meet the medical expenditure.

The Cabinet had also decided to make continuous medical education compulsory for doctors, both government and private.

UNI BM RN SY DB2045