Naidu launches Arogya Raksha for a healthy AP
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday launched a new health scheme christened Arogya Raksha offering medical insurance to those who were not covered under any of the existing health schemes of the state government. It was the first file signed by the Chief Minister in the new year.
To avail of the benefits of Arogya Raksha, all one needs to do is pay `100 per month per head. The health insurance cover is offered up to `2 lakh and free treatment can be had for 1,044 listed health ailments in any of the 432 corporate hospitals and 80 government hospitals in the state. One can register for the scheme at any of the Mee Seva centres till February 28.
Launching Arogya Raksha at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram in Vijayawada, the Chief Minister said his government’s focus was not just on wealth creation but also ensuring health of all citizens.
“NTR Arogya Seva has already been launched for below poverty line families, and under that scheme, medical treatment for 1,044 health and medical ailments is being offered free of cost at corporate and government hospitals,” he pointed out.
A similar service has been provided to employees and journalists in the form of health cards and for those, who are not being covered by any such scheme, the new health initiative ‘Arogya Raksha’ has been launched, he explained. Reiterating that he wants the state to be ‘Arogya Andhra Pradesh’, the Chief Minister stressed that health is wealth and added that in line with the state’s vision for achieving a higher rank in happiness index, measures had been taken up to improve the overall health standards of the people. Donning the role of a health counsellor, Naidu underlined that fitness is a must to extend one’s lifespan.
“Previously, medical treatment was not advanced, but today, we have advanced medical and healthcare available, where even operations like heart transplantations are being done in a painless manner,” he said while praising doctors at the Guntur Government Hospital for the successful conduct of heart transplantations.
Emphasising the need for keeping mosquitoes and other pathogen carrying insects at bay by keeping the environs free of garbage and maintaining sanitation, the Chief MInister suggested that one should pay attention to what the body says and take action before it is too late.
He also stressed the need for maintaining a healthy lifestyle by keeping away from factors that result in lifestyle diseases. Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas, Minister for Water Resources Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Principal Secretary (Health) Poonam Malakondaiah and others were also present.