Mysuru: The Department of Health and Family Welfare will soon launch a special drive to distribute Health Cards under the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (ABAK) Scheme.

This was disclosed by District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. R. Venkatesh at a press meet held at his office here this morning.

Dr. Venkatesh recalled that the Ayushman Bharat Scheme was introduced by the Central Government in March 2018 and later merged with the Arogya Karnataka Scheme in October 2018 with Central and State funding of 60% and 40% respectively.

Though distribution of the Health Cards of the ABAK Scheme was commenced sometime ago, the implementation and coverage was not up to the expectation. Hence, a special drive would be initiated soon to give a proper thrust to the Scheme, explained the DHO and added that the Health Card would be distributed to both APL and BPL Card holders.

Continuing, Dr. Venkatesh disclosed that the medical cover would be Rs.5 lakh per year for BPL Card holders and 30% of the actual medical expenses subject to a maximum of Rs.1.5 lakh for APL Card holders.

He said that the treatment should be availed only at Government Hospitals and added that the patient would be referred to a listed private hospital only if the treatment demands.

Private Clinics: Dr. Venkatesh said that a week’s deadline has been given to all private clinics and hospitals not covered under Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (KPME) Act to obtain the needed statutory licence.

He further said that a special drive would be launched after a week to book the violators against whom a legal action would be initiated.

District Family Planning Officer Dr. Siraj Ahmed was present.