Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 23: Shri S. Tejeswara Rao (Teja), Chairman, Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Unorganised Workers & Employees Congress, has urged the Government of India to expedite the amended Gazette Notification on health insurance eligibility and ensure its early implementation for eligible resident families, family members and unorganised workers of the Islands.
He has also strongly urged the Union Government to enhance health insurance coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family, considering the unique geographical challenges of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the heavy additional costs involved when patients are required to travel to mainland India for specialised treatment.
Shri Tejeswara Rao further demanded cashless and nationwide portability of treatment, advance issuance of health insurance cards, simplified referral procedures and consideration of a special/Universal Health Insurance arrangement for the Islands.
“Health security must reach every eligible Island family and worker. For the people of Andaman & Nicobar, adequate insurance coverage is not a luxury but an essential requirement.”
He urged the Union Ministries of Health & Family Welfare and Home Affairs to take necessary action on priority and coordinate with the Andaman & Nicobar Administration for early implementation.