To provide an inclusive and composite health package for transgender persons under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, National Health Authority and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya hailed this MoU as one of its kind in the country which will give impetus to ensuring rightful and respectable place for transgender community by accessing healthcare services under AB-PMJAY.
A landmark transformational reform in the society under PM @NarendraModi Ji's leadership.
With new MoU signed between @MSJEGOI & @MoHFW_INDIA, Transgender persons will get composite healthcare services under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
📖 Take a look at the benefits of the scheme. pic.twitter.com/YgomR6FCSn
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@mansukhmandviya) August 24, 2022
“This MoU has laid the foundation for a landmark transformational reform in the society. The move which provides special healthcare benefits to the Transgender Community goes beyond ensuring equality for the disadvantaged community”, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted.
Noting that the transgender community suffers stigma and exclusion, he stressed that the provisioning of healthcare services under AB- PMJAY is a significant and firm step towards an inclusive society.
“It is only apt that the MoU is being signed at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre today, as he championed for an inclusive society with equality across all population groups in the country”, he stated.
He congratulated the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for taking several initiatives for the transgender community, be it “The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019”, Garima Greh, PM Daksh program or other schemes or initiatives taken recently.
Urging all sections of society to join hands in efforts of the government towards an inclusive society under the vision of “New India” of Hon. Prime Minister, he stated that “Disadvantaged communities can progress with dignity and self-reliance with collaboration of “Sarkar and Society”.
MoSJE will fund Rs.5 lakh insurance cover per transgender beneficiary per annum. A comprehensive package master is being prepared for transgender category including the existing AB PM-JAY packages and specific packages Sex Reassignment Surgery and treatment for transgenders. They will be eligible to seek treatment in any of the AB PM-JAY empanelled hospitals across the country, where specific packages are available. The scheme would cover all transgender persons not receiving such benefits from other centre or state sponsored schemes.
Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment enumerated several steps taken by MoSJE for implementing a package of five assurances: Education, Life with dignity, Health support, Opportunities for livelihood and Skill Enhancement.