The Union Budget 2018-19 provides just Rs 2,000 crore for the ambitious National Health Protection Scheme that aims to cover 50 crore poor people as the scheme's contours are yet to be worked out, the government said on Thursday.
In a post-Budget briefing, Union Expenditure Secretary Ajay Narain Jha said that more funds would be provided for the healthcare scheme once details are worked out.
Union Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said it would perhaps take another six months for the scheme to be worked out and it may not be implemented for the entire financial year. He, however, added that more funds would be made available, if required.
Terming it as the world's largest government-funded healthcare programme, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday announced the National Health Protection Scheme under which Rs 5 lakh cover will be provided a year to 10 crore poor and vulnerable families in the country.
Under the Ayushman Bharat, the government has also decided to fund Rs 1,200 crore for 1.5 lakh health wellness centres across the nation.
The decision to convert the Primary Health Centres into wellness centres was taken in last fiscal's Budget (2017-18). However, the money was not allocated for it.
--IANS
vsc-rup-bc/tsb/vm
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
