‘Response to RGJAY scheme has been very encouraging’

Around Rs 200 crore has been allotted for the first phase. Of this, around Rs 33.51 crore is for treatment

As per the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana (RGJAY), which is government-funded scheme, families living below poverty line or those that earn less than Rs 1 lakh annually, can get free medical treatment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh per year in empanelled government or private hospitals. The scheme, which covers 972 surgeries, procedures and therapies, with 121 follow-ups in 30 identified specialised categories, will be implemented across Maharashtra over three years. The first phase was launched on a pilot basis on July 2 this year in eight districts — Mumbai and suburbs, Gadchiroli, Amravati, Nanded, Sholapur, Dhule, Raigad.

Dr K Venkatesham, CEO of RGJAY, tells Aakriti Vasudeva that the scheme has been well received in the state and talks about plans for the future.

How has the response been to the scheme across the state?

The response has been really encouraging. In the first phase, we have identified 49.03 lakh families as beneficiaries. They can show their yellow or orange ration cards or the RGJAY health card to avail themselves of the scheme. Since the launch of the project on July 2, 11,534 cases have been approved for treatment till October 6 under the scheme. In all, 143 private and government hospitals have been empanelled across the state.

What are the statistics for Mumbai and suburbs?

Of the total number of cases, 5,415 are from Mumbai and the suburbs. However, this includes even outstation patients who have come here for treatment.

Which category of treatment has seen the highest number of cases in the state?

The highest number of cases, around 22 per cent, has been cardiology-related. Dialysis and cancer treatment have also been availed by a large number of people.

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