J&K’s SEHAT covers 10.7 lakh patients, saves them Rs 1844 crore

Srinagar, Feb 22:  Jammu and Kashmir’s SEHAT health insurance scheme has provided a major relief to over 10.7 lakh patients by offering free treatments worth Rs 1844 crore since its launch in December 2020.

Under this scheme, golden cards are issued to eligible beneficiaries for free health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. As per the official data, over 10.7 lakh claims amounting to Rs 1822 crore have been settled under the scheme so far.

Officials say the initiative has greatly reduced the out-of-pocket expenditure burden on poor families who can now avail quality healthcare which was earlier out of reach for them. Jammu and Kashmir is the first union territory in the country to roll out universal health insurance coverage for all residents under the Social Endeavour for Health and Telemedicine (SEHAT) scheme.

Launched in 2020, SEHAT provides health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family for free to all people living in J&K. This goes well beyond the national Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) by extending the safety net to the entire population of J&K.

Over 83.5 lakh residents have been given SEHAT golden cards to avail of cashless treatment at any of the 229 empanelled hospitals. Both public and private hospitals are part of the network to ensure access to quality healthcare.

A total of around 10.70 lakh patients have availed treatment for various conditions under the scheme which, inter-alia, include cancer patients, patients with cardiac ailments and patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases.

In the absence of such a scheme, most of the patients suffering from these life-consuming and life-threatening diseases could not have afforded such treatments which required prolonged medical management.

“This model has not only strengthened the healthcare system within J&K but has also significantly reduced out-of-pocket expenses, preventing catastrophic payments and poverty for families in need of hospitalisation. It has also positively impacted the health-seeking behaviour and satisfaction of beneficiaries, creating employment opportunities in both government and private hospitals," a senior Health Department official said.