Dental treatments will soon be included under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MPJAY), Maharashtra Health Minister Tanaji Sawant said in the Legislative Council on Monday after Independent MLC Satyajeet Tambe raised the issue.
Speaking during the Monsoon Session of Maharashtra’s Upper House, Tambe had highlighted the need to expand the health scheme to cover dental care, noting the significant challenges people face in accessing dental treatments. The MLC pointed to current gaps in the scheme’s implementation, saying 137 out of 350 talukas in Maharashtra still do not have hospitals or dispensaries under MPJAY.
“These talukas urgently need prioritization,” Tambe said. He also raised concerns about fraudulent practices like hospitals allegedly registering bogus patients to exploit the scheme. “Attempts to take advantage of the scheme by showing bogus patients raise questions about how the government will take suitable action,” Tambe remarked.
In his speech, Tambe praised the state government’s decision to extend the scheme’s coverage up to Rs 5 lakh, benefiting a wide range of citizens from poor to affluent. He commended Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the state administration for removing restrictions on who can avail of the scheme, thus broadening its reach and impact. “As a result, from poor to rich, everyone has reaped the benefits,” he said.
Addressing Tambe’s concerns, Health Minister Sawant provided an update on the scheme’s progress. Initially, MPJAY covered 1,000 hospitals and offered benefits of up to Rs 1.5 lakh. However, these benefits have now increased to Rs 5 lakh, and the number of treatments covered has expanded from 1,356 to include dental procedures.
Sawant assured the Council that efforts are underway to address the deficiencies in the 137 talukas lacking MPJAY facilities. “Hospitals will be set up in these talukas immediately,” he announced.
The inclusion of dental treatments in MPJAY is expected to significantly enhance the accessibility and affordability of dental care for residents across Maharashtra. This move is seen as a critical step towards comprehensive healthcare coverage under the scheme, ensuring that even those in the most underserved areas can benefit from essential medical services.
As the government works to rectify existing issues and expand the scheme’s reach, continuous monitoring and stringent action against fraudulent activities will be crucial.
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