Notwithstanding the euphoria over the smart health card under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), a cancer patient who is a beneficiary of the card had to run from pillar to post to avail thebenefits in Sundargarh district.
The smart health card was distributed in Sundargarh district on September 14. Srimati Mahanta (57), a resident of Mahipani village under Bisra block of Sundargarh district, felt pain in her stomach on September 18. Family members brought her to Bisra CHC on September 18.
She was given oxygen there and was sent to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) in the afternoon. In the RGH, she was admitted and was given saline and on September 20 morning, doctor in RGH told the family members of the patient to shift her elsewhere.
The family members wanted to know if they can shift the patient to Jayprakash Hospital at Rourkela since Jayparaksh Hospital, Hitech Medical College and Hospital at Rourkela and CWS Hospital are empanelled hospitals under the smart card.
But in the RGH helpdesk, the family members of Srimati were reportedly told that under the smart card only ICU patients and major operations are covered and other deceases won’t be covered.
The family members then contacted Jaypraksash Hospital and dialed and when they asked if they are taking Srimati to Jayprakash hospital, but they reportedly did not get any satisfactory answer from there about the smart card benefits.
Later, they admitted the patient at the Hitech Medical College and Hospital on Monday. After seeing her previous examination report, the
doctors there told them that she was suffering from cancer in her abdomen. “When we were given the smart card in our village a few days back, we were told we would get treatment free of cost in empanelled hospitals but in hospitals here, we are getting all the negative replies,” said Basmati Mahanta, daughter of Srimati.
She asked if the card is only a gimmick to gain vote. However, CDMO, Sundargarh SK Mishra said, “After the smart cards were distributed in the district, helpdesks have been opened in the listed hospitals to help and guide the family members of the patients. The
helpdesks should therefore properly help the family members who are coming to hospitals for getting treatment under the card,” adding, “We will very soon call a meeting of the officials of the empanelled hospitals in the district for proper implementation of the smart health card benefits.”