Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday that the state government is considering a universal health insurance scheme for the state’s residents. He emphasised the importance of accessible healthcare for all, particularly the need for emergency services to reach every corner of Assam.
Mr Sarma tweeted as he unveiled 83 new ambulances for the 108 Mrityunjoy scheme: “We are planning to come up with universal health insurance through Ayushman Assam for those left out of Ayushman Bharat. The scheme will cover senior citizens, journalists, people without NFSS ration cards, etc.”
He stated that the ambulances will benefit patients in Assam’s rural and urban areas, as well as aid in lowering the state’s maternal and infant mortality rates. “The emergency ambulance service has saved 1,86,000 lives so far,” he wrote on the microblogging site.
The state currently has 800 ambulances on the road, including 779 Basic Life Support Surface Ambulances, 14 Advanced Life Support Surface Ambulances, and seven boat ambulances, according to the chief minister. Mr Sarma emphasised during his speech on the occasion that healthcare should be accessible and affordable to all.
CM stated that the state government is working to improve medical facilities at local level dispensaries and hospitals, as well as establishing medical colleges in various parts of the state in a phased manner. With the green light given to Dhubri Medical College by the authorities on Monday, the state now has nine medical colleges, Sarma added.