Why is it in the News?

As many as 1.13 lakh people have availed of free health treatment being provided under the city Government’s ‘Delhi Arogya Kosh’ scheme, till October last year, according to government data.

What is the 'Delhi Arogya Kosh' Scheme?

• Constituted in 2011, the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) has five components/schemes:
  • Financial assistance to EWS patients
  • Free High-End Radiological Diagnostic Test Scheme
  • Cashless Specified Surgeries scheme
  • RTA (Road Traffic Accident) Scheme (‘i.e. Farishtey Scheme’) and
  • Cashless Dialysis Scheme.
• There are 4 schemes under the name of Delhi Arogya Kosh which include financial support from the government for medical implants, various types of surgeries, 136 types of medical tests and the Farishtey scheme for treatment of accident victims.
• Under this scheme, if any citizen of Delhi goes to Delhi government hospitals for treatment and has to face a waiting period for examination or treatment and the patient needs immediate care, then the patient can avail the above-mentioned services in a private hospital with a doctor’s reference.
• Cashless check-ups and treatment will be provided for them in all the empanelled hospitals and the cost of this will be borne by the government.
• Under this scheme, every citizen of Delhi who has Delhi's voter card can get treatment.
  • Children below 19 years of age can avail this facility based on their parents' voter cards.

Schemes Under 'Delhi Arogya Kosh':

1. Financial assistance up to 5 lakh for different types of medical implants: Under this scheme, the government provides financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh to the patients.
   • To avail of the benefit of this scheme, patients need to submit their application and relevant documents.
   • After their screening, the government bears the cost of implants and the treatment of the patient up to Rs 5 lakh.
   • It is a cashless scheme.
2. 136 free medical test facilities at private labs for patients: In the case of a long waiting list at government hospitals, patients can get the tests done at private hospitals or labs.
   • Under this scheme, patients can get about 136 types of medical tests done for free.
   • Under this, while waiting in a government hospital, patients can get all medical tests from private hospitals and labs free of cost, including X-ray, MRI, PET scan, CT scan and ultrasound.
3. Free Surgery Scheme for patients to get the surgery done in private hospitals: If a patient goes to Delhi government hospital for treatment and has to undergo surgery but the waiting time is more than 30 days, then patients can avail free surgery in private hospitals under the 'Free Surgery Scheme' under this scheme.
   • The government bears all the expenses incurred in the surgery.
4. Accident victims’ free treatment : The Farishtey Scheme is also covered under Delhi Arogya Kosh.
   • Under this scheme, if a person meets with an accident, he or she is provided immediate treatment in a government hospital for free and if the patient gets admitted within 72 hours of an accident, he or she can also avail treatment at a private hospital for free.

• • All the expenses of patients will be borne by the Delhi government.