Come November, the retired state government employees would be able to avail cashless healthcare services. The Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Sahayata Kosh entails free medical services for them at state-run hospitals.

Former government employees can avail of the facility for their spouses too. Apart from free diagnosis, they can expect cashless hospitalisation at 100 specified hospitals across the state, most of which are government run.

“The new scheme would come into existence from November 1. Those who want to avail of it will have to fill up a form and opt for the scheme. We will bring out an advertisement naming the centres where these forms will be available. Those who are retiring after October 31 will have to choose this option while filling up their pension forms,” said Rajendra Prasad Ojha, additional health secretary.

The scheme is optional for former government employees. Those who continue to take health allowance in their pension would not be made beneficiaries of this scheme. Former government employees get Rs 200 a month as health allowance.

The grant-in-aid for hospitalisation within and outside the state starts from Rs 15,000, for knee replacement (see chart). It is also available for diseases like cancer, cardiac problems, kidney problems, brain tumour, AIDS, spinal surgery, bone marrow transplant and major vascular surgeries.

Committees would ensure smooth functioning of the scheme. “The panels are being formed at the district- and sub-division-level. The district committees would comprise six members, including the civil surgeon,” Ojha said.

The scheme would be of great help to people like Bimla Singh, a 72-year-old retired government employee and Jagdeo Path resident. Bimla has been trying to make both ends meet from the pension she gets. Her husband has been suffering from coronary artery disease for the past four years. “Medication and surgery for this disease are quite expensive. This scheme will be a big relief for me,” said Bimla.

Some retired employees are not as upbeat about the scheme. “The condition of government hospitals is a serious issue. Before implementation of the scheme, the services and facilities available at the government hospitals should be improved,” said Ramanuj Singh, a retired government employee.

A separate counter and sitting area would be set up for senior citizens in the hospitals across the state. Diagnosis facilities outsourced to private companies would be free for former government employees.

“The senior citizen counter and sitting space would come up before October 31,” Ojha, the additional health secretary, said.

Hassle-free advance fund would be sanctioned to patients’ welfare associations at hospitals across the state to help retired government employees avail of paid services.

The exact number of retired employees, however, is not known. “We are compiling the details. It is difficult to say at this point what their exact number is,” finance department principal secretary Rameshwar Singh said.