Dharawad: There has been slow progress in issuing Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka cards (ABARK) cards in the District. The District has 16 lakh people using BPL and APL cards, and are eligible to get ABARK cards, however Health Department has so far issued only 4.5 lakh cards to date.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Mission of the Ministry of Healthy and Family Welfare, all needy patients are provided healthcare, free of cost. Lack of awareness too has made many eligible people not have ABARK card for themselves. The Health Department is now holding awareness programmes with regard to ABARK cards.
Under the scheme, families possessing BPL cards will get up to Rs. 5 lakh for treatment in case they are admitted to hospital following severe complications, and APL card holders will get Rs 1.5 lakh for treatment. Primary, secondary, tertiary care and emergency treatment will be given to card holders.
Only Aadhaar and Ration cards were enough so far to avail the service but now health card is made mandatory. The cards are issued at KIMS, District Hospital, Bapuji Service Centre, Gram One Centres at villages, in all taluk hospitals, Urban Primary Health Centres and Karnataka One Centres. For issuance of health card Aadhaar and Ration cards are mandatory.
