The distribution of identity cards under the State government's Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme for Life Saving Treatments is taking time in view of the inadequate manpower of Chennai district administration.
The Collectorate, which distributed around 2.5 lakh to the beneficiaries since the launch of the scheme last year, has been entrusted with the task of handing over 1.5 lakh more cards. An official of the State Health and Family Welfare Department said that the process of distribution of the cards in Chennai was slow.
He attributed this to the shortage of manpower.
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Many councillors of the Chennai Corporation also voice concern. One of the councillors, S.Bhuvaneswari said more and more people have started seeking their help for obtaining the cards.
V. Shanmugasundaram, another councillor, said the distribution could be speeded up by roping in Chennai Corporation staff.
Some councillors claim that they were taking the services of their supporters and the public in each ward and helping the Collectorate officials distribute cards quickly.
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A senior official at Chennai Collectorate said the help of Chennai Corporation employees was yet to be sought for distribution of cards. Around 30 officials of the Revenue department are involved in the distribution process.
According to Star Health and Allied Insurance Company, around 100 of its employees have started to help the revenue inspectors in distribution of cards to beneficiaries.
The amount of money disbursed for treating beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme for life-saving treatments has crossed Rs.10 crore in the city this month and over 2,000 beneficiaries have been provided life saving treatment under the scheme in Chennai, according to a revenue official.
Around 60 per cent of the money was for cardiology-related treatments in the city. Orthopaedics and oncology are other treatments that top the list.
More than 80 hospitals have been empanelled for providing the treatments in Chennai.
According to Star Health, empanelled hospitals have been vigorously monitored for possible delisting in case of being found inefficient in the delivery of the medical services.