Telangana launches new health scheme for employees, pensioners

Hyderabad, July 17 (IANS) The government of Telangana on Friday launched a new health scheme for government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members. 

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Minister for Health Damodar Rajanarasimha, launched the New Employees Health Scheme.

They distributed health cards to the employees and launched the NEHS portal at the event held at the State Secretariat.

They said that the scheme is aimed at providing quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare through cashless treatment through an expanded network of empanelled hospitals, enhanced transparency, and a seamless digital platform.

This scheme would benefit approximately 8 lakh government employees and pensioners, along with 29.80 lakh of their dependent family members. Employees can avail free in-patient medical services at 886 private network hospitals across the state.

The scheme covers 1,816 types of medical treatments and surgeries, aligned with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) package rates.

The government has formed a special Trust with equal participation from government officials and representatives of employee unions to ensure the scheme operates transparently and smoothly, the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He stated that the ‘people's government’ introduced the scheme with the noble intention of providing a robust health security system, thereby instilling confidence and assurance among state government employees.

He noted that the government had observed the plight of employees and their families who often fell into debt and struggled to repay loans incurred due to medical expenses during illness. The 'Indiramma government' initiated this programme with the aim of transforming this situation and providing them with comprehensive cashless medical services, he said

Bhatti Vikramarka emphasised that this scheme stands as a testament to the state government's affection and sincerity towards its employees.

He said that with the noble intention of recognising employees as members of the family and acknowledging the government's responsibility to look after their well-being, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy constituted a Cabinet sub-committee. The Deputy CM was the chairman of this sub-committee, while his ministerial colleagues Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Ponnam Prabhakar, and Seethakka served as members.

“We deliberated extensively on the issues faced by employees and arrived at robust policy decisions; the 'New Employees Health Scheme' is the outcome of those efforts," he explained.

He criticised the previous BRS government for ignoring the employees. He said the previous government left bills worth Rs 10,000 crore unpaid and the present government, by adopting a humanitarian approach, was releasing the funds.

“We have been releasing Rs 2,000 crore per month to clear the outstanding bills. I personally review the process every 15 days to ensure not a single rupee remains pending," the Deputy CM said.

Bhatti stated that, driven by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's vision, the state is giving top priority to the education and healthcare sectors. He highlighted that, as part of this initiative, the Rajiv Arogyasri coverage limit has been raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, providing free corporate-level medical treatment to 1.06 crore eligible families.

The Deputy CM urged employees to work with renewed enthusiasm and dedication. He called upon employees to act as true bridges in taking government welfare schemes—such as fine-quality rice for the poor, free bus travel for women, free electricity for farmers, and 200 units of free electricity for households—to the people.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Health Principal Secretary Dr Christina Z. Chongthu, Education Secretary Yogita Rana and leaders of employee unions participated in the event.

--IANS

ms/uk