State Government has decided to extend its flagship scheme - Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) - by another three months while extending the date of card renewals by another month to December 31.
PANAJI
The State Government has also appealed to beneficiaries to immediately inform the Directorate of Health Services or the health insurance company in case any of the private hospitals ask them to pay any additional charges for any procedures.
Speaking to The Goan Everyday, DDSSY Consultant Balkrishna Pai informed, "State Government launched the scheme in September 2016. We have now decided to extend the scheme by another three months, upto February 2018. This has been done for three months so that it would be easier for the government to conduct review of the scheme, if any."
The date for renewal of the existing cards has also been extended to December 31 as nearly 30,000 families are yet to renew their cards.
"Last year, 2.18 lakh cards were issued under the scheme covering population of 7.69 lakhs. Currently renewals of 1.9 lakh families have been completed. Additionally, 21,472 new cards have been issued now covering population of 74,954 persons", he said adding, "If the card holders do not renew their cards by December 31, they will not be able to renew their cards later for availing of the scheme."
Currently, the 447 procedures listed under the scheme are available across 46 hospitals empanelled which include 5 government-run and 32 private while 9 are outside Goa.
"The packages for the procedures have already been fixed and the hospitals cannot ask the patient to pay additional fees. Only if the patient upgrades his facilities to a private room, the difference amount has to be paid by the patient", he said.
