Essential Medicines, Diagnostic Tests Provided at No Cost to Underprivileged
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): The Jammu and Kashmir government has reinforced its commitment to providing free healthcare services, including generic medicines and diagnostic tests, to economically disadvantaged groups under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Responding to a query in the Assembly, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo stated that the initiative covers poor families, handicapped individuals, widows, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients.
She highlighted that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at Sub-Centre (SC) level offer 96 essential medicines and 14 diagnostic tests free of cost, improving access to healthcare in remote areas. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) provide an expanded list of 175 essential drugs and 39 diagnostic tests, further strengthening medical services at the grassroots.
Additionally, Community Health Centres (CHCs) now house dedicated Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Clinics, ensuring free treatment for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
Under the Ayushman Bharat SEHAT Scheme, patients admitted to government hospitals receive free treatment with a financial cover of up to Rs 5 lakh. Other financial assistance schemes, including the Chief Minister’s Fund, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, and Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund, further support underprivileged patients in accessing necessary medical care.
The government’s initiatives aim to enhance healthcare accessibility and reduce the financial burden on economically weaker sections across the region.(DD)