BHOPAL: With the introduction of Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) in Madhya Pradesh, various state-run medical assistance schemes like Chief Minister Discretionary Fund and Rajya Bimari Sahayat Yojana will be shelved from April 1. CM Discretionary Fund for medical treatment, has been merged with AB-NHPS and will cease to exist officially after March 31, 2019. Rajya Bimari Sahayata Yojana which provides medical assistance from Rs 20,000-Rs 2 lakh will be dropped by end of this financial year.
Under CM Discretionary Fund, a sum of Rs 120 crore was allocated under this fund in current financial year, while it stood at Rs 140 crore a year before, informed Arun Bhatt, OSD to former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Dr Himanshu Jaiswal, National Vector borne control programme officer, said it has been decided that when centrally sponsored Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) has been introduced in Madhya Pradesh, there is no need to continue with state-run health schemes. “Chief Minister Discretionary Fund given for medical treatment purpose and Rajya Bimari Sahayat Yojana will be completely shut down from April 1. CM fund for medical treatment has been merged with Ayushman Bharat Yojana of PM Narendra Modi. Similarly, Rajya Bimari Sahayata Yojana will be closed down,” said Jaiswal.
He, however, clarified, currently, we are considering the cases under CM Discretionary Fund but in selective manner as it has not been officially shelved off. However, it has been merged with Ayushman Bharat Medicare and gradually, assistance under CM Discretionary fund will be suspended, he added. CMHO Dr NU Khan informed, “Currently, we are sending the cases under CM Discretionary fund seeking assistance for medical treatment as it is still running. Besides, under AB-NHPS picture is not clear for medical aid in many chronic diseases and thus still cases under CM Discretionary Fund are being considered, he added.