Plans afoot to bring HIV-infected under Ayushman Bharat

Health Minister Shivanand Patil promied to bring the HIV infected under Ayushman Bharat, a national health protection scheme which provides a cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year for a poor and vulnerable family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.

Addressing an event to mark World AIDS Day, the minister said, “Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society has submitted a proposal seeking the government to bring the HIV infected under Ayushman Bharat scheme.”

“We will take steps to provide treatment to the HIV infected under Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka. Once implemented, Karnataka will become the first state to provide free treatment to the HIV infected in private hospitals,” the minister said.

“In order to overcome the shortage of blood, mobile blood collection units have been provided to Belagavi and Bidar districts. The facility will be extended to all districts in the coming days,” Shivanand Patil said.