Mamata Banerjee Highlights Uniqueness of West Bengal’s Swasthya Sathi Health Scheme

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday explained why the state’s health insurance scheme, Swasthya Sathi, is unique in the country. She emphasized that its biggest advantage is its universal nature.

"We provide health insurance under the Swasthya Sathi scheme without any income restrictions. Also, the health card is issued in the name of a female member of the family, which makes it special," Banerjee said at the foundation-laying ceremony of Narayana Health City in North Kolkata.

Her remarks come amid criticism for not implementing the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme in the state.

The Chief Minister further stated that most of West Bengal’s development schemes are universal, meaning they do not have income-based eligibility criteria. According to her, around nine crore people in the state are currently covered under the Swasthya Sathi scheme.

"My government has revolutionized the health sector. We provide free treatment and medicines, which is something we are very proud of," she added.

Listing the government’s achievements in healthcare, Banerjee said that under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime, the state has:

- Established 14 new medical colleges and hospitals

- Built 42 super-specialty hospitals

- Set up 13,392 new health centers

- Provided critical care units in all districts

- Increased special newborn care units from 6 to 71

Banerjee highlighted these developments as proof of her government's commitment to improving healthcare in West Bengal.