Jharkhand News : State Health Minister Irfan Ansari said that the government is committed to ensuring quality healthcare for every citizen. He emphasized that the aim of the new health insurance scheme is not just implementation, but delivering accessible and high-quality medical services to all. The scheme will reduce the financial burden on employees while strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
Speaking as the chief guest at an MoU signing event in Ranchi for the new policy period under the State Employees Health Insurance Scheme on Thursday, the minister described it as a major step in the health sector.
He stated that once implemented, the scheme will provide cashless treatment to state employees and their dependents at around 600 reputed hospitals across the country. This includes nearly 200 hospitals within the state as well as leading super-specialty hospitals in cities like Vellore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Treatment at CGHS rates will ensure transparency and lower costs.
The minister added that the scheme will also cover OPD services, follow-ups, medicines, travel allowance, AYUSH treatments, and medical advances. Currently, around 2 lakh employees and their families are enrolled, taking the total number of beneficiaries to over 7 lakh. Last year, approximately ₹51 crore was spent on the treatment of 10,257 patients.
He further announced that under the Abua Card, the insurance coverage has been increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹15 lakh, enhancing financial protection for employees.
To strengthen healthcare infrastructure, the state is accelerating work on expanding medical colleges, establishing a medico city, increasing medical seats, and executing major projects like RIMS-2, aiming to reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the state.
On the occasion, Seema Singh delivered the vote of thanks. Officials including Shashi Prakash Jha from National Health Mission and Vidyanand Sharma Pankaj, along with representatives from various associations and departments, were present at the event.
