Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, May 6: From now on, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana cardholders who have tested positive for the Covid-19 and admitted to the private hospitals cannot avail of the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Instead, it is available to the patients whose condition is severe and are on ventilators in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Earlier, testing and treatment of Covid-19 patients was available for free of cost at private hospitals, but now, only patients who are in the ICU can avail the facility of Ayushman Bharat.

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Speaking to daijiworld.com, Dr Rathnakar, nodal officer for AB-PMJAY said, "In Dakshina Kannada district, we have made a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 80 private hospitals for the treatment of Covid-19 patients under Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Those patients whose condition is severe and admitted in ICUs, can avail this facility for free of cost, including Remdesivir vial. This scheme will not be available for those who are admitted with Covid-19 positive symptoms.

"Due to panic last year, people with minimal symptoms of Covid-19, got admitted to private hospitals on their own. Per patient, we had to spend Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,000 daily. There they stayed up to 10 days which resulted as a huge burden to the health department. People with severe condition will be treated at Wenlock hospital. Aadhar Card or any other identity card is sufficient to avail treatment. If patients are showing from severe symptoms and are admitted to ICU in private hospitals, they can avail the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Yojana with help of Arogyamitra appointed by the government in private hospitals. The hospital authorities will issue a request letter and from our department, we will provide a referral letter. The patient can then avail the facility free of cost under Ayushman Bharat," he said.