Tamil Nadu Assembly: State government to launch health insurance for the elderly

The Tamil Nadu government announced plans to launch the ‘Chief Minister’s Elderly Health Insurance Scheme’, which will provide comprehensive coverage to nearly 38 lakh senior citizens aged 70 and above. This scheme will cover free medical treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals, including advanced cancer care, cardiac surgeries, organ transplants, and high-end diagnostic services, without any income ceilings.

Health Minister K.G. Arunraj announced 115 healthcare initiatives in the Assembly, with an estimated outlay of ₹2,997 crore. The 87-year-old Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, will be replaced with a modern comprehensive act to tackle contemporary and future health challenges. Arunraj also revealed that a new provision would make unsupervised home births outside hospitals a punishable offense.

The state, known for its healthcare facilities, plans to establish the ‘TN Medicity’, a world-class integrated medical hub incorporating clinical services, research, medical tourism, and AYUSH. The government will allocate ₹10 crore for a Detailed Project Report in the first phase. The ‘Nalam 360-Annual Free Health Check-up for All’ scheme will offer free basic health check-ups, including 14 tests, to everyone aged 30 and above, across 1,257 government health facilities.

For the first time, the Health Department will introduce Home Based Diagnostic Services in metropolitan areas through a public-private partnership model. A new ‘Positive Health Policy’ and the ‘Nalam 360’ mobile application will promote holistic health and wellbeing. The department will create 2,500 permanent staff nurse posts and 3,594 medical staff across 24 categories, including pharmacists and ophthalmic assistants, through various recruitment boards.

Additionally, 284 temporary super speciality posts will be created across 25 specialties to provide advanced medical care at the district level.