U.T. Khader, Health and Family Welfare Minister, addressing a press conference here on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH
Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader on Thursday said the State government is keen on implementing the Ayushman Vaya Vandana health insurance scheme for those aged 70 and above, provided the Centre provides clarity on its financial commitment.Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Mr. Khader said that the State’s Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme, converged with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Scheme (ABPMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana CM Arogya Karnataka (ABPMJAY-CMArK) scheme, has been in force since 2018. Under the ABPMJAY-CMArK scheme, below-poverty-line families get a health cover of ₹5 lakh, while non-BPL families get a health cover of ₹1.5 lakh. This health cover includes those aged 70 and above.Mr. Khader said the Centre’s contribution of 60% for the ABPMJAY-CMArK scheme is based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data of 2011. The State is bearing 40% of the cost for those under the SECC 2011 list, and 100% for those not covered under it and for above-poverty-line families.The State is keen on implementing the Vaya Vandana scheme, subject to the Centre giving clarity on its financial commitment. “Without clarity from the Centre about its financial commitment, it is difficult for the State to make an estimate about its contribution for implementing the Vaya Vandana scheme,” Mr. Khader said, adding that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar will shortly write a letter to the Centre in this regard to ensure the scheme is implemented in the State.The State government is also working on implementing the Sandhya Kiran health scheme for retired State government personnel aged between 60 and 70 years. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevini Scheme (KASS) for government employees is being streamlined by revising reimbursement rates in line with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and expanding the list of covered procedures to more than 3,000.Mr. Khader said steps are being taken to procure 450 new ambulances within three months, increasing the ambulance fleet to 750. The Regional Transport Offices will be asked not to delay the renewal of fitness certificates for government ambulances. The Minister added that bike ambulances, which operated for a short period after their launch in 2013, will be back in operation shortly. Over 100 bike ambulances will start operating in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Belagavi, and other cities in the State, he said. Published - August 06, 2026 09:50 pm IST
