Atal Amrit cheques to 6,115 in phase-3

GUWAHATI, March 29: “Following the motto of sabka sath sabka vikash, the government is committed to the development of all sections of society and Atal Amrit Abhiayn is one such step to bring quality healthcare in case of major diseases within the reach of the poorest of the poor of the society.”

Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said this on Thursday while taking part as the chief guest in the third phase of cheque distribution ceremony of Atal Amrit Abhiyan to 6,115 beneficiaries for a total cost of Rs 39.69 crore at Sarusajai Sports Complex in the city. 

Atal Amrit Ahiyan 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 this scheme, a family of five would be eligible for a total maximum sum of Rs 10 lakh with Rs 2 lakh to each member.

In the previous two rounds, 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 third round of reimbursement mode, beneficiaries with an income of Rs 5 lakh or less would now be able to take benefits 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 Atal Amrit Abhiyan till February 2018. 

Sonowal appreciated the Health and Family Welfare Department and tiol Health Mission for making this scheme a reality. Saying that the government has made education free in the state till the college level and also took action to provide Rs 1,000 allowance per month to the divyangs, the Chief Minister said that the government is committed to the equal development of all sections of society. Initiatives like Atal Amrit Abhiyan in health sector and Gunotsav in the education sector are bringing positive transformation and reflecting the earnestness in governce, he added.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that that this is the third and fil round of reimbursements under Atal Amrit Abhiyan and from now onwards card holders under the scheme would be able take benefit of cashless healthcare system. Saying that Rs 400 crore has been allotted in the State budget for the scheme, Sarma urged the people to take full benefit of this scheme which will cover 428 procedures under six critical diseases. He also said that the cards would be activated within April 2018.