Free treatments worth Rs. 912 cr. provided to 8.06 lac beneficiaries in two years under SSBY–Balbir Sidhu

Chandigarh, 24 August:

Free treatments worth Rs. 912.81 crores provided to 8.06 lakh entitled beneficiaries in 2 years under the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna (SSBY). It was disclosed by Health Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu during a state-level function held at Kisan Vikas Chamber, Mohali to mark the beginning of the scheme’s third year.

While speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that SSBY had successfully completed its 2 years of implementation under which Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Government has made unstinted efforts for building a healthy Punjab. He said that SSBY is an initiative to move from a sectoral and segmented approach of health service delivery to a comprehensive need-based health care service.

Giving details regarding treatment services provided to patients, Mr. Sidhu said that Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna was launched in the state to holistically address the healthcare needs at the secondary & tertiary level and more than 8 lacs beneficiaries got free treatment. Of these, heart surgeries of 13,940 patients have been conducted free of cost. Similarly, knee replacement and hip replacement surgeries of 4,964 patients, treatment of 12,133 cancer patients and dialysis of 2,03,175 patients, and treatment of other diseases have been provided free of cost.

Revealing further, Mr. Balbir Sidhu said that e-cards were issued to more than 71 lakh beneficiaries under this scheme in last 2 years. 898 hospitals were listed for providing treatment to entitled beneficiaries, including government hospitals as well as large private hospitals. In these impaneled hospitals the entitled beneficiaries can avail the cashless treatment under the scheme for indoor hospitalization for around 1579 treatment packages.

He extended heartiest congratulations to all the 23 District teams and SHA team for their committed efforts and hard work for ensuring the scheme’s success in reaching out to the poorest and most vulnerable population in the State in less than two years since its launch. He emphasized that the focus this year will be on expanding the reach of the SSBY network and services to other left-out population groups.

The Health Minister also said that benefits were being provided to the families listed in Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, farmers holding J forms and sugarcane weighment slips holders, registered construction workers, small traders and yellow cardholders or accredited journalists. He appealed to the eligible beneficiaries under the scheme, who have not yet made their cards, to check their eligibility at the nearest empanelled hospital, CSC center, service center or visit the department’s website www.sha.punjab.gov.in.

Speaking on the occasion, PSH, Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Alok Shekhar, IAS, said, “SSBY along with the Health & Wellness Centres will accelerate State’s progress towards achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Universal Health Coverage by providing access to both primary and secondary as well as tertiary healthcare to around 40 lakh entitled families of the State that constitute 65% of the population. These Health & Wellness Centers along with Health Insurance Cover for indoor hospitalization together will extend the continuum of care by bringing essential and critical services closer to the beneficiaries and by addressing the needs of the most marginalized.”

Reflecting and assessing the journey of SSBY so far, Shri Kumar Rahul, Chief Executive Officer, State Health Agency said, “Today, as we mark the two years of SSBY, One of the State’s biggest Schemes has achieved several milestones, including 8 lakh hospital admissions. This was achieved in 24 months since the launch of the scheme. I am pleased to report that 8.06 lakh hospital admissions, worth Rs 912 crores have been provided through a network of 898 hospitals across 23 Districts. The scheme has generated a savings of approx. Rs. 900 crores to its beneficiaries.