The Hindu 10.06.2010
Municipal corporation planning health cover to slum dwellers
Staff Reporter
| The aim is to provide medical facilities not covered under Rajiv Arogysri |
The corporation has held parleys with National Insurance Corporation
The VMC plans to rope in Self Help Groups to spread the message
VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is contemplating providing health insurance coverage to the people living in slums in the city.
The aim is to provide medical facilities which are not covered under Rajiv Arogysri scheme.
As the general ailments were not covered under the Rajiv Arogyasri, the people were in dire need for an alternative.
To fill up this gap, the corporation was planning to issue health cards, says Municipal Commissioner G. Ravi Babu.
The Corporation already held parleys with National Insurance Corporation recently.
Insurance cover
It has agreed to provide insurance coverage up to Rs.50, 000, on payment of premium ranging between Rs. 250 to Rs. 300 per annum. The insurance coverage would be for the entire family. The VMC would not pay any premium for the beneficiaries identified. It would act as only facilitator, he says.
The VMC would rope in Self Help Groups (SHGs) to spread the message and motivate the slum dwellers.
In phase-I, the Corporation is planning to bring about 10,000 families under insurance net.
It would be extended to entire city in phased manner. There are about 1.25 lakh families living in slums in the city.
The Corporation is, on other hand, looking for other insurance companies, who could offer more services at relatively less premium.
It would ensure more competitive environment if more companies express their interest.
The Corporation has hired the services of Apitco, a consultancy, to identify the insurance companies in this regard.
