Tamil Nadu Govt to bear the Cost of Covid-19 Treatment in Private Hospitals: MK Stalin

MK Stalin, the new chief minister of Tamil Nadu after the oath taking ceremony announced big covid relief package for the people of Tamil Nadu. Stalin also announced that all COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals will also be covered by the government. This is part of the DMK lead coalition’s new health insurance scheme. Currently the treatment is only free government hospitals.

The move is a welcome one, considering that COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals has been known to cost exorbitant amounts. Access to the technology, infrastructure, and services of these ‘coveted’ hospitals has been nearly impossible for a majority of people.

Stalin also announced that a relief package of Rs. 2000 would be sent to residents in the state. This is part of DMK’s larger scheme of providing Rs. 4000 for rice ration card holders during the pandemic. The first installment will be Rs. 2000 in May. In total the government is sending Rs. 4,153.69 to a total of 2,07,67,000 ration card holders.

In addition to these, Stalin also announced that travel in buses will be free for all women, with a sum of Rs. 1200 crore allocated for this scheme.

This is in contrast to the central govt that has left people to fend for themselves without oxygen, hospital beds or ventilators. People are spending lakhs to get one oxygen cylinder. This has also created a black market for remdesivir and oxygen cylinders.

At a time when people are running form pillar to post to get a dose of remdesivir, such a move by Tamil Nadu govt is not only appreciable but life saving for many. All state and central govt should emulate the TN model so as to alleviate the people from the misery of the pandemic.

As part of the “Chief Minister in Your Constituency” scheme, a department headed by the Indian Administrative Services Officer, will be constituted. The scheme aims to address public grievances within 100 days of assuming the Chief Minister position.