AP Govt plans medical insurance for poor

Our Bureau
Ms Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said insurance was the key to extending modern medical care to the poorer sections of society.
Hyderabad , Dec. 25
THE Andhra Pradesh Government intends to offer medical insurance to the poor, starting in 2006. The idea is to gradually reach modern medical care to the poor, said the State Agriculture Minister, Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy.
Speaking after inaugurating the Apollo International CME (continuing medical education) programme here on Sunday, Mr Reddy said, "We can make a humble beginning by this insurance scheme, even if we can't reach medical insurance to all eight crore people immediately."
The Minister urged insurance companies to come forward and offer medical insurance to the poorer sections of society at break-even cost. In developed countries the entire population is covered by medical insurance, and everyone gets the best available care.
The CME was jointly organised by Apollo Hospitals and the American Telugu Association (ATA) today. Mr Reddy said medical insurance to the poor is being implemented in Karnataka, where farmers and their families are extended quality medical care.
He urged members of ATA to extend their support for implementing medical insurance in the State. Corporate hospitals should also open their doors to the common man in whatever limited way they can, the Minister said.
Ms Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, said insurance was the key to extending modern medical care to the poorer sections of society. She explained the successful implementation of medical insurance covering 22 lakh farmers in Karnataka, Punjab and for the AMUL cooperative society by the Family Health Plan, a sister concern of the group.