Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has said the State has a natural advantage for speedy development owing to its long coastal line. By virtue of its natural resources, the State will soon become an export and import hub for the country, he said at the launch of Employees’ Health Scheme here on Thursday.
“Andhra Pradesh should be made the ‘Gateway of India’ in terms of imports and exports. Our State is mineral rich, and it is here that many rivers merge into the sea. Enterprising people are our asset. Together, we can make it the best state in India,” he said, urging employees’ support in earning funds through development.
Responding to the demand for implementation of PRC, he said the State was facing a deficit of Rs.16,000 crore post bifurcation, and that the demand, along with other employees’ demands could be discussed across the table with the Cabinet sub-committee.
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“We would need some leeway before the employees receive their due. Meanwhile, we shall strive to improve living standards of people,” he said, and called for better leveraging of technology and positive attitude from employees.
“I can see determination among employees to prove themselves post bifurcation. We shall work methodically, taking advantage of technology. The health scheme is devised to improve employees’ confidence so that they can give their best for the state’s development,” he said.
He congratulated the employees for their efforts to restore normalcy after Cyclone Hudhud ravaged Visakhapatnam, and agreed for payment of a month’s basic pay as advance for employees in cyclone-hit areas.
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Benefits of health cards
Outlining the benefits of health cards issued under ‘NTR Arogyaseva Trust’, Mr.Naidu said the cards will benefit 22 lakh persons, including 3.9 lakh employees and 3.5 lakh pensioners, together with their families. Outpatient facility is being offered for 25 kinds of ailments, along with 24X7 emergency and call centre support.
Cashless treatment will be offered through the health card, at all government and private hospitals. The scheme is estimated to cost Rs.220 crore, of which 40 per cent will be collected from the beneficiaries, and the remaining, borne by the government. Fifteen per cent of the cost will be spent on diagnostics, medicines and doctors’ appointments.
Employees over 40 years may get health checkups done free of cost in the notified hospitals once a year. The guidelines for same will be released separately.
As per guidelines already issued, special clinics will be run between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., in all area, district and teaching hospitals for employees suffering from chronic ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, kidney and heart related ailments, apart from tuberculosis and leprosy.
The clinics will have sample collection and radiology facilities, and charge Rs.50 per patient for doctor’s consultation, and Rs.100 for super speciality health services. Appointments with doctors can be taken online. Medicines will be supplied by APMSIDC.