A universal health coverage scheme was approved by the Karnataka government recently, which categorises the beneficiaries into two sections.

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From November 1 onwards, 1.4 crore households in Karnataka will get free medical assistance. The state government has approved the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme called Aarogya Bhagya on Monday.

Under this scheme, the beneficiaries have been categorised into A and B sections. All health facilities will be provided to them through an Aadhar-linked universal health card, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, TB Jayachandra, said in a cabinet meeting.

People falling under Category A or the ‘priority category’ will include farmers, poor households, unorganised sector labourers, pourakarmikas, members of the SC/ST, cooperative societies, government employees, media persons and elected representatives.

Everyone else will fall under Category B, and they will be enrolled online using their Aadhaar details.

Along with that, a contribution of ₹300 per person applies to people from rural areas, and ₹700 for those from urban areas reports Business World.

For both A and B categories, all primary, secondary and emergency care will be free.

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Under Aarogya Bhagya, the seven different health care schemes of Karnataka will be merged into one. This amounts to a total of ₹869.4 crore as the cost to the state exchequer.

“In emergencies defined for both accidents and medical/surgical emergencies treatment can be provided in the nearest facility available irrespective of government or private to ensure ‘Treatment first and Payment Next’,” Jayachandra said in the meeting, reported Live Mint.

After stabilisation of 48 hours, the person can be transferred to a government or private hospital for further treatment.

He also said that the 108 and 104 helplines would support free diagnostics, free drugs and dialysis, free blood units, platelets and components, which will be provided in government hospitals, reports the publication.

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