Delhi's big welfare push on anvil: Children with disabilities may soon get up to Rs 13L health cover

In a significant move, the Delhi government is planning a health insurance scheme that could provide coverage of up to Rs 13 lakh for children with disabilities, helping thousands of parents manage the soaring costs of treatment, surgeries and assistive equipment.

The proposed initiative aims to support children with special needs by covering expenses related to operations, hospital treatment, medical procedures and essential equipment required for their care, an official told PTI.

''The proposal to provide assistance of Rs 13 lakh to children with disabilities is currently being examined at multiple administrative levels. Discussions are underway about the implementation framework, and the Delhi Cabinet would soon take up the matter.

''The objective is to ensure that no child with disabilities is denied quality healthcare because of financial constraints,'' he said.

Families often spend lakhs of rupees on surgeries, therapies and assistive devices, and this scheme is intended to reduce that burden significantly, the official said.

The government is also considering linking the scheme with empanelled hospitals and rehabilitation centres to ensure seamless access to treatment and specialised care, he added.

''Children with developmental disorders, physical disabilities and chronic medical conditions often require continuous medical attention. The proposed insurance cover could become a lifeline for economically weaker families,'' he said.

According to the official, the move will add to the welfare measures already being provided by the Delhi government for persons with disabilities (PwD), including monthly financial assistance and transport concessions.

At present, the social welfare department provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 under the 'Subsistence Allowance/Financial Assistance to Persons with Special Needs' scheme to the eligible beneficiaries.

The disabilities being considered under the scheme include blindness, low vision, leprosy-cured persons, deafness, locomotor disability, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, mental illness, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, acid attack victims, hard of hearing, speech and language disability, specific learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell disease and multiple disabilities.

The Delhi Transport Corporation provides free bus travel for visually impaired persons, while attendants accompanying persons with 100 per cent blindness are also eligible for concession benefits.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)