Guwahati: National Health Authority (NHA), a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide the transgender community with a comprehensive health care package.
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) will oversee the comprehensive and integrated health programme.
The aforementioned MoU was signed by Dr. R S Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority (NHA) and Shri R. Subramanyam, Secretary DoSJE in presence of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Union Health Minister Dr. Mandaviya said, “This MOU has laid the foundation for a landmark transformational reform in the society. The move which provides special healthcare benefits to the Transgender Community goes beyond ensuring equality for the disadvantaged community.”
The minister noted that the provision of healthcare services under the scheme was an important step towards a more inclusive society because the transgender minority faces stigma and isolation from society.
“It is only apt that the MOU is being signed at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre today, as he championed for an inclusive society with equality across all population groups in the country,” he added.
The MoU will allow transgender people in India who possess a transgender certificate from the National Portal for Transgender Persons access to healthcare benefits.
The press release by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare read, “MoSJE will fund Rs.5 lakh insurance cover per transgender beneficiary per annum. A comprehensive package master is being prepared for transgender category including the existing AB PM-JAY packages and specific packages (Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and treatment) for transgenders. They will be eligible to seek treatment in any of the AB-PMJAY empanelled hospitals across the country, where specific packages are available. The scheme would cover all transgender persons not receiving such benefits from other centre/state sponsored schemes.”