The renewal process of the universal health insurance scheme, Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) will be further delayed as the new health minister is gearing up to tweak the policy that currently covers around two lakh families in Goa.
New minister suggests changes to the scheme
the goan I network
PANAJI
DDSSY which was launched late last year was valid till March 31, following which the renewal process was to start. But with the election code of conduct the scheme had taken a back seat.
Now with Vishwajit Rane taking charge of the department, the scheme will undergo changes after a meeting with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function said, “I will be meeting with CM on Monday on the changes that should be made to the scheme. We will take the next step after that.”
During the function, Rane said the scheme needed to have more scope for hospitals in the private sector and said there was a need for tweaking the scheme on a whole. Rane said an advisory council of doctors would be constituted in the next couple of days that would discuss the changes that needed to be done.
“The advisory council of doctors will discuss the scheme and then take the scheme forward. I will then meet with Chief Minister on Monday with a list of the changes that should be incorporated,” he said.
The scheme had been launched during last BJP government under the leadership of Laxmikant Parsekar and then health minister Francis D’Souza. Smart cards were issued to over two lakh families with promises that the scheme would be extended to government servants as well.
With state elections held in February and a government yet to be formed, the scheme missed the March 31 renewal deadline.
