NEW DELHI: With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, transgender people will now receive composite healthcare services under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY.
Mansukh Mandaviya, the union minister of health, praised the MoU on Wednesday, calling it a first of its type in the nation that will help ensure transgender people have a legitimate position in society. Mandaviya ssaid, the MoU will provide all healthcare benefits to transgender people nationwide who possess a transgender certificate from the National Portal for Transgender People.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MOSJE) would provide a Rs. 5 lakh annual insurance benefit for each person who identifies as transgender. He said, a full package for the transgender category is in the works, comprising the current AB PM-JAY packages as well as tailored packages for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and transgender treatment.
They will be qualified to get care in any AB PM-JAY empanelled facility nationwide, where particular packages are offered. The programme would apply to all transgender people who weren't receiving similar benefits from other state- or center-sponsored programmes.
In the presence of Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, and Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr. R. S. Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority (NHA), and R. Subramanyam, Secretary DoSJE.
"This MOU has established the framework for a significant social revolution. The action goes beyond establishing equality for the underprivileged community, he emphasised, and gives the transgender community specific healthcare benefits. He emphasised that the provision of healthcare services under AB-PMJAY is an important and firm step towards an inclusive society, noting that the transgender community experiences shame and marginalisation.
Dr. Ambedkar advocated for an inclusive society with equality for all of the nation's population groupings, thus it is only fitting that the MOU is being signed at the Dr. Ambedkar International Center today, according to Mandaviya. The minister emphasised that the government has made a number of methodical initiatives for the welfare of the transgender population and is working decisively to not just recognise their rights. 'Sarkar and Society' may work together to help disadvantaged communities advance with dignity and independence,' the minister said.
The nation is undergoing transformational change thanks to strong political will to put this shift into effect. He listed several actions taken by the MoSJE to implement the five guarantees of education, a dignified life, access to health care, opportunities for employment, and skill development. He claimed that these actions were taken to ensure that marginalised and disadvantaged groups of the population could escape from constrictive social structures by giving them a dignified life and livelihood.
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