Karnataka has been selected as the first State for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) project, initiated by the Centre.

Two districts of the State, Mysore and Raichur, have been selected for the implementation of the scheme on a pilot basis, said Madan Gopal, principal secretary of the Health and Family Welfare department, here on Wednesday.

The project is aimed at providing quality healthcare to all sections of the society, especially the economically backward sections, he said at a meeting convened at the office of the deputy commissioner to discuss the implementation of the project.

Covered under UHC

He said that the Planning Commission of India had also approved the implementation of the project. The project will ensure that individuals who cannot avail benefits under health schemes such as Yashaswini, the National Health Insurance Scheme and others, will be covered under UHC.

The project is being implemented with the help of self-help groups, non-governmental organisations and private institutions, he said.

Dr S M Malegowda, district health officer, said both APL and BPL families could avail benefits under the scheme. While services will be offered for free at government hospitals, nominal fees will have to be paid by private firms for the treatment of their employees. He said health cards will be issued to individuals, after which they can avail the services.

“It may take up to three months for preparation and implementation of the project,” he said.