Amritsar, December 10 To provide better services under the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY), the Health Department is planning to hire private medical specialists, especially of anesthesia and radiology, at government hospitals where these posts are vacant. Civil Surgeon Dr Prabhdeep Kaur Johal said, “The idea is that the patients get medical facilities at government hospitals even if the posts are vacant.” She said the private specialists would be paid according to the number of cases handled by them. “They will deal only with beneficiaries of the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana and pregnant ladies,” she added. The Health Department is facing a shortage of specialists, especially radiologists, and most of them prefer private practice instead of joining the department. Talking about the progress of the scheme, Dr Prabhdeep said till date, as many as 3,021 patients had availed benefit of the cashless medical scheme. Besides, as many as 3,399 patients have obtained treatment from private hospitals under the scheme. The Civil Surgeon said till date, a total of 30, 5082 beneficiaries had been enrolled in the district. She said accidental and emergency cases could directly be treated at private hospitals and would be covered under the scheme. Dr Prabhdeep said people could call on toll free helpline number 104 for any information regarding the scheme. Deputy Commissioner Shivdular Singh Dhillon said the medical insurance scheme was proving to be beneficial for the poor. The DCsaid health employees were creating awareness about the scheme and helping people enrol so that all eligible beneficiaries were covered.

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