Swasthya Sathi to be extended to every citizen of Bengal

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a press conference on Thursday, November 26, where she made several announcements. On the health front, she made a big announcement: Swasthya Sathi, one of the state government’s flagship health service schemes, was to be extended to every citizen of Bengal.

Limited to government employees till now, the health insurance scheme would now cover the 10 crore-plus population of the state. Anyone not enrolled in any other health insurance can avail its benefits, which include treatment in several private hospitals (and all government ones in the state), with a coverage of upto Rs 5 lakh.

Swasthya Sathi helps people get cashless treatment at hospitals. The Swasthya Sathi health card, which helps in accessing the cashless treatment, is issued in the name of the female guardian of a family, thus empowering women.