HYDERABAD: Members of the families falling under the below poverty line (BPL) will be entitled to Rs.1.5 lakhs worth multi-speciality treatment for diseases ranging from cancer to burns with the launch of a new health insurance scheme on March 31.

To be called `Arogya Sri,' the scheme will be implemented on a pilot basis in Srikakulam, Anantapur and Mahabubnagar districts covering 23,16,424 BPL families, comprising a population of 83,39,354.

Asking officials to implement the programme effectively, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, here on Tuesday directed them to press into service 4,500 ambulances to shift patients to the hospitals in case of emergencies.

The Chief Minister will launch the programme in Mahabubnagar. The Government has entered into a collaboration with Star Health and Allied Insurance company and signed an MoU on March 8, according to a press release. The scheme envisages setting up a contact point for patients at all PHCs and Government hospitals in the districts where the insurer will have a desk. An Arogya Sri health coordinator will be appointed apart from providing a toll-free helpline to enable the families seek assistance.

The Chief Minister asked officials to ensure proper coordination among Arogya Sri Health Care Trust, the Medical and Health Department, district Collectors and the Civil Supplies Department along with the insurance company.

Data collected by the Government indicated that out of 16 lakh coronary heart diseases, at least 1.5 lakh cases needed immediate heart surgery. Out of these, 15,000 were found to be BPL families.

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