TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Despite the health services in the State being hit by various allegations of impropriety and irregularities, including postings and process of tenders, Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar bagged the ‘Excellence in Public Health’ award by MedscapeIndia, leading healthcare professionals and providers in India.
The health minister claimed that the still-to-be-implemented Deen Dayal Swasthy Seva Yojana (universal mediclaim insurance scheme) that envisages an enhanced insurance cover of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum was one of the reasons for his getting the award.
The scheme is slated to be implemented by December-end.
Addressing media persons, Parsekar said that the scheme has been tendered and pre-bid meeting was recently called. “We aim to implement the scheme by end of the year,” he said. The scheme will provide Rs 2.50 lakh annual health insurance cover to a family of three members, and Rs 4 lakh annual health insurance cover to a family having four members. Parsekar said that several initiatives were taken up by the government including increasing MBBS seats from 100-150 to 200 in the next term, super-specialty facilities, course in para-medical section and post-graduation in nursing.
“We are now exploring the possibility of introducing education in cardiology and neurology,” he announced.
