The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Health insurance for children launched

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Sunday, Jan 20, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Health insurance for children launched

Staff Reporter

They will get coverage for Rs. 10,000 by paying a premium of Rs. 35 a year, says NGO

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

HEALTHCARE FOR THE POOR: The former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam distributing health insurance certificates to schoolchildren at the launch of ‘Arogya Chetana’ in Bangalore on Saturday.

BANGALORE: To create access to quality healthcare for children from poor families, a health insurance scheme was launched jointly by the New India Assurance and Adamya Chetana, a Bangalore-based NGO.

The scheme, claimed to be first in the country, will entail health insurance for Rs. 10,000 on an annual premium of just Rs. 35.

Launching the project here on Saturday, the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said that a healthy body and mind was important for the growth of the child as well as happiness of the family. He said: “This scheme should spread to all parts of the country, and selected hospitals should welcome these children with a smile. Besides, preventive measures should be initiated to prevent illness among children.” Mr. Kalam, who was interacting with schoolchildren on the occasion, administered oath to children on issues ranging from corruption to hard work. While he was administering oath to children against corruption, Dr. Kalam said: “Even adults can join and take an oath to lead an honest life far from corruption and set an example for others.”

Urging children to enjoy success of others, he said: “If you (children) can enjoy the success of others, then you are a great human being.”

To mark the launch of the programme, Dr. Kalam gave away health insurance cards to 22 children from government schools located in Basavangudi, Sultanpet, K.P. Agrahara and other areas.

The former Governor of Bihar Rama Jois, Bangalore South MP Ananth Kumar and a host of senior BJP leaders were present on the occasion.

First of its kind

The health insurance scheme launched here is first of its kind in the country. Although the scheme is launched in association with Adamya Chetana, any child could be insured under the scheme. Chairperson of Adamya Chetana and wife of Mr. Ananth Kumar, Tejaswini Ananth Kumar said: “Children from poor families will contribute only Rs. 10 a year while Rs. 25 will be through donations and other children can take the insurance by paying Rs. 35. The scheme will be available across the country.” Already 10,000 children had been enrolled for the scheme and we intend to extend the scheme to around 2.5 lakh children in Bangalore, Hubli and Gulbarga, she added.

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