Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, May 23: Manipal Arogya Card Scheme 2015, a non- governmental healthcare scheme, was launched at a press meet at hotel Maharaja here on May 22.

The Manipal Arogya Card Scheme is a social initiative of Manipal University which enables members to avail medical treatment facilities at cheaper and affordable rates. The scheme is applicable to Manipal Group hospitals in coastal Karnataka. Anyone can become member of the scheme, by paying a small sum as membership fee, and will receive an investment pack as concessions. The membership enrollment will close on July 25, 2015 and validity starts from August 1, 2015 for one year.

Giving details of the benefits of the scheme Dr M V Prabhu, dean, KMC Mangaluru said, "Consultation with any specialist/super specialist doctors any number of times during the year by paying only 50 percent of consultation fee is the most attractive among the outpatient benefits of the card. There is a 25 percent discount on diagnostics and laboratory investigations giving considerable relief to the patients and there will also be up to 10 percent rebate on medicines purchased from hospital pharmacy with prescription.

"The Manipal Arogya Card is being used for curative and treatment purposes. But society should start to use it in a preventive way for consultations. This will help to avail treatment in early stages and also to reduce the treatment cost drastically," Dr Prabhu added.

"The Arogya card is also useful for patients going to our hospitals at Mangaluru, Udupi, Karkala and Manipal, for discount on consultations with any specialist doctor, any number of times during the year. There is a 25 percent concession on inpatient bills (excluding consumables) in general wards for any number of times during the year at KMC Hospital, Mangaluru. For medicines purchased from the hospital pharmacy up to 10 percent concession is offered," he explained.

Dr Anand Venugopal, medical superintendent, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru said, "The Manipal Arogya Card membership fee is a nominal Rs 270 for an individual card and Rs 550 for a family card. Family includes the card holder, spouse and all the dependent children below 25 years of age. An add-on card is also availablle for parents of primary card holders under the family card scheme 1 for Rs 100 for one parent and family card 2 for Rs 200. For renewal of the card, 10 percent discount on membership fee is offered."

He also said that Manipal Arogya Card 2015 application forms are available with all Manipal hospitals in coastal Karnataka and can also be had from designated agents. Syndicate Bank branches in Karnataka and north Kerala will also enrollment facilities, he said.

Saghir Siddiqui, unit head, KMC hospitals, Mangaluru proposed the vote of thanks.