PANJIM: Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) beneficiaries will no longer have to wait to get their insurance cards as the government has asked Goa Electronics Limited (GEL) to provide the cards instantly. Government has begun the process of renewing the DDSSY cards as the scheme completes a year in August.
Goa Government in 2016 had launched the universal health insurance scheme for those living in the State for five years and more. The DDSSY scheme provided a cover of up to Rs 2.5 lakh for a family of three members and up to Rs 4 lakh for a family with four or more members.
Speaking to Herald, senior consultant to the Directorate of Health Services for DDSSY, Dr Balkrishna Pai said that in its endeavour to reach out with the benefits of the scheme to a larger population, government has begun with the process early.
He said, “The scheme is completing one year on August 31 and hence we have appealed to the public to renew their DDSSY cards for further benefit. To make it convenient for the beneficiaries, the renewal cards will be issued to the existing card holders at the Centre itself when they come for renewal.”
He said that around 2.5 lakh cards have been issued, which approximately cover around 7.5 lakh people.
The Health Department has informed existing card holders to visit the DDSSY centres only after they receive the SMS for renewal with their DDSSY as well as AADHAR cards. The renewal fees remain the same with Rs 200 being charged for a family of three and less members and Rs 300 for a family of four and above. However, a concession of 50 per cent is provided to OBC of non-creamy layer, SC, ST and differently-abled eligible persons.
