Government issues order extending Karunya Benevolent scheme till 2020 April

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health minister K.K. Shailaja on Tuesday issued an order to ensure that all those who are currently eligible for availing treatment under Karunya Benevolent Scheme are not denied treatment.

The order has been issued extending free treatment for eligible patients under Karunya Sceheme up to March 31, 2020. The members who are enrolled with the new insurance scheme Kerala Arogya Suraksha Paddhati (KASP) are being provided treatment at the hospitals which are empanelled under the scheme.

The minister said that those eligible for financial assistance under Karunya scheme and those who do not possess RSBY and KASP cards, will be provided treatment at KASP empanelled hospitals under the approved package.

She clarified that the money for the treatment at empanelled hospitals would be sanctioned State Health Authority.

KASP was implemented in the state from April 1, 2019 after merging Karunya Benevolent Fund and all existing insurance schemes in the state. Each family is entitled to avail free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh annually. Earlier Karunya scheme was extended up to June 30.

It was under these circumstances that the government decided to ensure continuous treatment for those under Karunya benevolent scheme . Under the direction of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan , the finance minister and health minister held discussions to finalise the plan for extending the free treatment facility.

Under Karunya scheme a family is entitled to get up to Rs 2 lakh for life time financial assistance for treatment. Those undergoing kidney transplant get Rs 3 lakh. However, under the new insurance scheme each family will get insurance coverage worth Rs 5 lakh annually.

Hundreds of patients particularly those suffering from cardiac, renal problems and cancer were unable to avail medical facilities in hospitals following the government decision to wind up the scheme with effect from June 2019.

Earlier, finance minister Thoma Isaac had stated that certain problems had cropped up because of the implementation of KASP. These problems would be during the course of implementation. Hospitals are keen on Karunya scheme because there are no accounts or stringent norms.

However, this system cannot go on indefinitely. Hospitals are also trying to use the opportunity for collective bargaining, he added.