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Kolkata, February 21 – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday provided a ‘detailed explanation’ on why Swasthya Sathi, the state’s own health insurance scheme, is unique in the country. She emphasized that the scheme’s universal nature is its greatest advantage.
“We provide health insurance under the Swasthya Sathi scheme without any restriction like the income limit of that family. At the same time, the Swasthya Sathi card is registered in the name of a lady member of that family. These make the Swasthya Sathi scheme unique in the country,” the Chief Minister said at the foundation laying ceremony of Narayana Health City in the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Thursday afternoon.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come in the wake of widespread criticism over the state’s reluctance to implement a similar health insurance scheme of the Union government, Ayushman Bharat.
Banerjee asserted that, like Swasthya Sathi, most of the state government’s developmental schemes are universal in nature due to the absence of income-based restrictions for beneficiaries.
According to her, around nine crore people in West Bengal are currently covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme.
“My government has brought a revolution in the health sector of the state. We provide treatment and medicines totally free of cost. We are really proud of that,” she added.
During her speech, Banerjee also highlighted the achievements in the health sector under the Trinamool Congress regime. She noted that 14 new medical colleges and hospitals, along with 42 new super-specialty hospitals, have been set up in the state. Additionally, she stated that 13,392 new health centers have been established, and all districts now have critical care units, a feature previously unavailable.
“Earlier, there were just six new special newborn care units in the state. The number is now 71,” she claimed.
The Swasthya Sathi scheme was launched by the West Bengal government in December 2016 and aims to provide cashless medical treatment to residents of the state. Unlike Ayushman Bharat, which follows specific eligibility criteria, Swasthya Sathi is extended to all residents of the state without an income cap.
Disclaimer: This article is based on statements made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and does not endorse or oppose any political stance or health insurance scheme. Readers are encouraged to verify details from official government sources before forming opinions.
