The first round of Duare Sarkar programmes ended in Salt Lake with the last couple of camps happening on Thursday in Ward 34 at the IB Block ward office and in Ward 40 opposite the Bidhannagar Sub-divisional Hospital.
Of all the 11 welfare schemes offered by the state government, the most queries and applications were for Swasthya Sathi, a basic health cover for secondary and tertiary care, up to Rs 5 lakh per year per family. An attractive feature of Swasthya Sathi is that it covers all pre-existing diseases.
The state government has recently decided to extend Swasthya Sathi benefits to all residents of the state, except those who are covered under any government-sponsored health insurance or assurance scheme.
The benefits of the scheme can be availed at all government hospitals and empanelled private hospitals.
According to the district-specific list on the Swasthya Sathi website swasthyasathi.gov.in, the private medical facilities in North 24-Parganas near Salt Lake and New Town empanelled for the scheme include
- AMRI Hospitals
- Susrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre in Salt Lake
- Rotary Narayana Nethralaya in Sector V
- Techno India Dama Healthcare & Medical Research Centre at Chingrihata crossing on the Bypass
- Charnock Hospital in Chinar Park
- Disha Eye Hospitals in New Town
- Ohio Hospital in New Town
- New Town Nursing Home in Jyangra, on Rajarhat Main Road
- Renaissance Hospital in Tegharia
The list may change from time to time, with some hospitals being added and some exiting.
But most people applying for the scheme seemed to have little idea that the scheme can be availed only at select hospitals.
“Most people coming here are asking us if the card is valid at any private hospital and nursing home. We are having to explain that there is a list of private healthcare units and only those will honour the card,” said an official manning the Swasthya Sathi counter at the CJ Block swimming pool where the Duare Sarkar programme was held last Saturday for Ward 29.
The next phase of Duare Sarkar will be held in all the wards from December 15 to 24.
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