HASSAN: Sandeep (11), son of Kalasayya, a member of Udduru Hosahalli Milk Producing Cooperative Society of Holenarsipur taluk, who was physically disabled by birth, has undergone surgery and is normal now thanks to the Yeshasvini Cooperative Farmers Health Protection Programme.

However, the scheme launched to provide modern healthcare facilities to farmers enrolled with cooperative societies has attracted less than 50 per cent of them in the district.

According to Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies R. Lokesh, of the 4,92,773 members in 787 cooperative societies in rural parts of the district, 2,68,799 farmers have availed themselves of the scheme.

He said 62,128 farmers enrolled as members in 2003-04 paying Rs. 37,27,680 as premia. As many as 848 farmers were operated upon under the scheme at a cost of Rs. 79,38,600. The number of enrolled farmers went up to 94,078 in 2004-05 and treatment was provided to them at a cost of Rs. 1.38 crore. However, in 2005-06, the number of enrolled farmers decreased to 75,106, he said. The premia collected was Rs. 88 lakh and treatment was provided to farmers at a cost of Rs. 1.36 crore. As many as 37,487 farmers had enrolled from January 1 to March 31 this year. The last day for enrolment was April 15 (for 2005-06), he said. The scheme was launched by the Government in June 2003 through the Department of Cooperation in association with the National Insurance Company and United Insurance Company Limited. However, the two insurance companies had withdrawn from the scheme, he said.

Premium

Under the scheme, an annual premium of Rs. 60 each at Rs. 5 per month has to be paid. Farmers are supposed to pay premia in full, while becoming members. They can enrol under the scheme at cooperative societies of which they are members. Members of the scheme can avail themselves of medical and health care facilities and also undergo expensive surgeries either free or at subsidised rates. They need not have to visit Bangalore for medical treatment. Certain hospitals in the district headquarters have been selected to provide the medical facility required during the insurance period. Besides free medical treatment, facilities such as free consultation for outpatients are provided. Ward fee and medical tests are subsidised.

Trust

Mr. Lokesh said that after the National Insurance Company and the United Insurance Company backed off, the Government decided to implement the scheme on its own and formed a trust. The Government had extended the facility to the family members of farmers also by increasing the premium amount to Rs. 120. However, the premium amount is Rs. 60 for farmers aged less than 18. The enrolment for 2006 would commence from June 1 and a target of enrolling at least two lakh farmers had been set. The Government was thinking of extending the facility even to members of Stree Shakti Self-help Groups, Mr. Lokesh said. Delivery cases were also included in the scheme, he added.

Farmers can avail themselves of medical facility under the scheme at various hospitals, including Sri Chamarajendra District Hospital, Mangla Hospital, Hemavathi Hospital, Rajiv Nursing Home, Bharathi Nursing Home, CSI Redfern Memorial Hospital, Janata Nursing Home, Sanjeevini Cooperative Hospital, SSM Hospital, Keshava Netralaya of Hassan and Bharathi Hospital of Channarayapatna. Efforts were on to enrol more farmers under the scheme by holding awareness camps and advertising through cable TV, he said.

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