Arogya Raksha, guarding health of the poor

Scheme, into its fourth year, provides affordable hi-tech treatment for annual premium of Rs 120

The scheme, in its fourth year in the district, formulated in collaboration with Biocon, Narayana Hrudayalaya and ICICI Lombardo provides affordable medical assistance to all classes of people, without any bar on income ceiling, by collecting a premium of Rs 120 per each family member. The primary objective of the scheme is to render the treatment at hi-tech hospitals available to common man.

While Yashaswini scheme introduced by the government provides similar facility, but only to the members of cooperative institutions, Arogya Raksha caters to wide section of the society.

As many as 1,600 operations including cardiac surgeries have been carried out under the scheme, so far.

Pocket-friendly

Two doctors work in shifts from 9 am to 7 pm every day at the Arogya Raksha clinic in the City. A cardiac specialist from Narayana Hrudayalaya visits the clinic on Thursdays. ECHO test, which otherwise costs at least Rs 600 is being done for Rs 150 at the clinic. Similarly electrocardiogrphy (ECG) is being carried out for Rs 45. The reports are transmitted to Narayana Hrudayalaya through internet and the patient will get expert medical advice in the shortest possible time interval.

Apart from this, telemedicine facility with Narayana Hrudayalaya is also available at the clinic. Necessary medicines are being dispensed at 15 pc discount. A sum of Rs 10 is being charged as consultation fee for non-members.

Free diabetic neuropathy camp is being conducted on third and fourth Tuesdays in association of Jain Institute of Vascular Science, Bangalore. As many as 9,800 persons had become members of the scheme when it was started three years ago out of whom 100 underwent surgeries.

The number stood at 7,600 in the second year out of whom 60 underwent operation including cardiac surgery performed on 15. The number of members was 6,000 in the third year and more than 56 have been operated so far. And, most of the beneficiaries are poor people.

The coordinator for the scheme, Rani Desai of Biocon, has informed that more features will be included in the scheme. A well-equipped laboratory with state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments will be opened at the Arogya Clinic in the City. Various programmes to create health awareness in children and women in rural parts is also in the pipeline. It has also been planned to install ten computers to impart computer literacy to children.

With a view to extend the scope of service, the Company has been distributing a text,
“Chinnara Ganita,” to students from first to sixth standard for the past two years. She also disclosed that Union Law Minister Moily has expressed satisfaction over the scheme and has discussed on extending the scheme to all the seven segments in Chikkaballapur
Lok Sabha constituency.

Arogya Raksha has come as a boon for the people of drought-hit district rendering hi-tech treatment affordable for common man. The new registrations and renewal of registration for the scheme will commence from Monday.