Mizoram BJP calls health care scheme 'unfortunate'

Aizawl: BJP Mizoram unit criticised the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS), launched by ZPM govt on April 1, calling it an "unfortunate health care scheme".

The party alleged that the scheme relies heavily on the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the central govt's flagship programme led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing party workers on Friday, K Beichhua, one of the two BJP legislators in the 40-member state legislature and a member of the party's state core group, launched a scathing attack on the state govt. He claimed that the govt empanelled 20 hospitals outside the state and six hospitals under MUHCS without signing MoUs with them.

Beichhua argued that the implementation of MUHCS deprives state govt employees of a key benefit — medical reimbursement — which they have enjoyed for decades under the Central Civil Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944. He also noted that private and church-run hospitals have declined to be empanelled under the new scheme.

The former minister accused the ZPM govt, led by chief minister Lalduhoma, of using AB PM-JAY to "sweet-coat" its cashless health care scheme. He predicted that the public would become disillusioned with the scheme within two months.

Beichhua urged the state govt to engage in negotiations with private and church-run hospital owners, as well as govt employees, to address the issues before it is too late.