Bengaluru: Posing a challenge to the burgeoning private hospitals in the State, after tabling the Bill — The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (Amendment) Bill, the State Government is planning to come out with a Health Card within three days, for all the families in the State, irrespective of their financial status.

The only criteria for total health care benefits, whether one is rich or poor, are to possess an Aadhaar card. In the Government hospitals, one can get free treatment. In case if the treatment is not available, then the same health card can be used in the private hospital for treatment. The health card entitles one to get treated for any kind of health problem, said Health and Family Welfare Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar and this scheme will come into force in another three days, he added.

Earlier, under various health schemes including Yeshasvini, people were getting free treatment. However, in the future, all these schemes will be subsumed under one scheme. This scheme does not discriminate people on caste or religious lines, nor will it take into account whether one is rich or poor. Everyone can get the Health Protection Card. The State Government is going to spend Rs. 1,000 crore to Rs. 1,300 crore on this scheme, said Ramesh Kumar.

Further, he said that without looking at the 1.30 crore families’ income limit, free health care would be provided.

Right from the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to the District Hospitals, necessary medicines and equipment will be provided within a few days. In each district hospital, MRI and CT scans will be installed. In 146 taluk hospitals, dialysis machines will be set up and ICU centres will be started. If one visits a private hospital for MRI CT scan, anywhere between Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 8,000 will be charged. Similarly, for dialysis, one has to pay Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,300. Hence, in the future every citizen in the State can avail of free health benefits. In case if one does not get treatment in Government hospital then he can go to a private hospital, he said.

If people start using the facilities in the Government hospitals, then it will definitely hit the running of the private hospitals. However, for us to protect the health of the people is more important. We are doing just that.  Hence, the private hospital administration spread canards about the Government hospitals. In spite of all these, the Government is firm on providing health benefits to all, he said.