Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the move will ensure rightful access to healthcare services under AB PM-JAY.
“This MoU between National Health Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Social Justice & Employment (MoSJE) will extend all healthcare benefits to transgender persons (holding a transgender certificate issued by the National Portal for transgender persons) across the country. MoSJE will fund Rs.5 lakh insurance cover per transgender beneficiary per annum," Mandaviya said.
As part of the move, a comprehensive master package is being prepared for transgenders, including existing AB PM-JAY packages and specific packages (Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and treatment), the ministry said.
As a result, transgenders will be eligible to seek treatment in any AB PM-JAY empanelled hospitals across the country, where specific packages will be made available. The scheme would cover all transgenders not receiving such benefits from other centre/state sponsored schemes, as per the government release.
Noting that the transgender community suffers stigma and exclusion, the health minister said that the provision of healthcare services under AB- PMJAY is a significant 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."
Mandaviya emphasised that the government is working in a decisive way to not only recognize rights of the transgender community but has taken various systematic steps for their welfare.
The ministry of social justice & empowerment has taken several initiatives for the transgender community, be it “The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019", Garima Greh, PM Daksh, among others.
