PANAJI
The State government has issued a notification allowing the family members of government employees to avail the benefits under Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY), it's flagship medical insurance scheme.
According to the notification, non-dependent members who are blocked on the existing cards can now make fresh applications and pay fees to secure a new card and the benefits accruing from DDSSY.
The move has been effected after a proposal was moved by the Directorate of Health Services on June 30 and which secured the approval of the government on October 22.
It may be recalled that the government came in for a lot of criticism after withdrawing its decision three days after notifying it to provide insurance coverage to Covid-19 treatment under the DDSSY.
Health Minister had confirmed the government’s stand saying it was decided to cancel the notification issued to cover Covid-19 treatment under DDSSY
Sources from the Health Department had disclosed that rates under DDSSY were likely to be rectified and increased even as murmurs of displeasure had grown within the private medical sector.
Dr Shekhar Salkar of Manipal Hospital, Dona Paula had sought to point out that covering Covid-19 under the DDSSY would add to the cases in private hospitals. He had also underlined that such a scenario is not ideal in a cancer treatment facility such as Manipal Hospital as it would not be possible to handle the volume of patients.
The government’s decision had also drawn flak from all Opposition parties who had expressed shock over the government’s arbitrary
decision to withdraw the notification to treat Covid patients under DDSSY.
