Maharashtra’s Gift of Care: Government Hospitals To Offer Free Medical Services From August 15
Mumbai, 13th August 2023: The Maharashtra state government has issued an order stating that starting from August 15, patients seeking medical treatment in government hospitals across the state will receive care free of charge. Additional fees will not be imposed on patients seeking medical attention.
On August 3, State Health Minister Tanaji Sawant announced that all government hospitals would provide treatment without any cost, with the state government covering the expenses. This initiative is in line with the Right to Health (Article 21), ensuring that treatments at various healthcare facilities such as Primary Health Centres, Rural Hospitals, Women’s Hospitals, District General Hospitals, Upazila Hospital, Super Specialty Hospitals, and Cancer Hospitals will be free of charge. The decision to implement this cost-free treatment approach was made during a cabinet meeting, as mentioned by Sawant.
Cancer hospitals located in Nashik and Amravati will also participate in providing free treatments.
This program will apply to a total of 2,418 hospitals and medical centres that operate under the state government. This endeavour is expected to benefit more than 25 million individuals who will have access to cost-free medical treatments through these healthcare facilities.
It’s important to note that this scheme does not extend to hospitals or medical colleges that fall under the purview of the Medical Education department.
Notably, during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Maharashtra introduced a free health insurance scheme for its residents. As a result, Maharashtra became the pioneer state to offer this kind of free insurance coverage. All citizens are covered by the state government’s health scheme known as the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY). To enrol in this scheme, individuals are required to possess a ration card and a domicile
certificate.
