Assam govt planning universal health insurance: Himanta

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state government is mooting a universal health insurance scheme for residents of the state.

He emphasised the importance of affordable healthcare for all, especially the need for emergency services to reach every nook and corner of Assam.

Flagging off 83 new ambulances for 108 Mrityunjoy scheme, Mr Sarma tweeted: "We are planning to come up with universal health insurance through Ayushman Assam for those left out of Ayushman Bharat. The scheme will cover senior citizens, journalists, people without NFSS ration cards, etc."

He said the ambulances will be beneficial for patients in rural and urban areas of Assam, and aid in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the state.

"The emergency ambulance service has saved 1,86,000 lives so far," he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Currently 800 ambulances, including 779 Basic Life Support Surface Ambulances, 14 Advanced Life Support Surface Ambulances and seven boat ambulances, are providing emergency health transport services to the people in the state, the chief minister said.

During his speech on the occasion, Mr Sarma stressed that healthcare should be accessible and affordable for everyone.

He said the state government is working towards enhancing medical facilities at the local level dispensaries and hospitals, besides starting medical colleges in different parts of the state in a phased manner.

With the green nod given to Dhubri Medical College by the authorities on Monday, the number of medical colleges in the state has increased to nine, he added.