Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 578/12

MEGHA HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME LAUNCHED

Shillong, December 15, 2012: Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), an insurance scheme for all the people residing in the state of Meghalaya excluding the central and state government employees was launched by Dr. Mukul Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Minister at Polo 5th Ground, Shillong on 15th December 2012.

At the outset Dr Mukul Sangma congratulated the department for completing the bidding procedures and formulating the scheme into a plan of action. He said that by launching the MHIS the government is able to keep the commitment for the people of the state where health is the major concern and every possible step is being taken to ensure that people get all the necessary health care facilities.

Moreover, Dr Sangma informed the people that this scheme is being initiated by Meghalaya government only in the whole country. The scheme is designed and structured in such a manner that it would be sustainable and provide quality health care facilities for the people of the state, he asserted. Dr. Sangma called upon the people to avail the benefit of this scheme and also pass on the information to others.

Mr. Rowell Lyngdoh, Deputy Chief Minister and Incharge Health and Family Welfare spoke about the benefits of the scheme and urge the people to avail these facilities.

This scheme would provide protection to BPL households from financial liabilities arising out of hospitalization. The scheme will cover five members of a family, husband, spouse and three dependents. It will cover insurance upto Rs. 1, 60, 000/- per household on a floater basis. Each family has to pay only Rs. 31/- at the time of registration to avail benefits of the scheme after which a smart card will be issued to each household. The scheme covers hospitalization in any empanelled hospitals and not OPD related ailments and will include transportation cost of Rs. 200/- for each instance of hospitalization. The policy period is for one year and hence the scheme needs to be renewed on a yearly basis.

Enrolment for this scheme will be done by key field officers from the department by giving prior information to the locality or area as selected by the representatives. A number of 11 NRHM Ambulances were also flagged off during the function.

Others present at the function are Smti Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister Urban Affairs, Mr Saleng Sangma, Minister C & RD, Mr Manas Choudhury, MLA, Mr. Lambor Malngiang, MDC, W M S Pariat, Chief Secretary, D P Wahlang, Commissioner & Secretary, Health And Family Welfare and others.