Health insurance launched for mentally challenged

From http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/05/stories/2009020555120600.htm

Health insurance launched for mentally challenged

Staff Reporter

KANCHEEPURAM: The ‘Nirmaya’ health insurance scheme has been launched in Kancheepuram district to cover people affected by autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. Collector Santosh K. Misra inaugurated the scheme. He said that the scheme, implemented by the national trust for the welfare of persons affected by autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities, provides health insurance for Rs. 1 lakh to these persons. The scheme covers expenditure towards hospitalisation, including nursing charges, corrective surgeries for existing disabilities including congenital disability, surgery to prevent aggravation, post-operative care, including therapies for six months, regular medical check-up for non-ailing disabled, pathology, radiology, advance tests for diagnosis of illness and monitoring disability, ongoing therapies to reduce impact of disability and disability related complications, transport charges for seeking medical services, including ambulance service, preventive dentistry, etc.

The insurance is extended to families having an income of Rs. 15,000 a month, he said.

Stating that so far 576 persons in the district had applied for health insurance, Mr. Misra said applications for health insurance were available at all special schools for the mentally challenged functioning in the district, in Block Resource Centres functioning under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and at the District Rehabilitation Centre, G.S.T. Road, near District Sessions and Magisterial Court campus, Chengalpattu – 603 001 (Phone no: 2743 1853).