Tamil Nadu launches health insurance for 38 lakh seniors, major health reforms announced
The Tamil Nadu government has announced the launch of the 'Chief Minister's Elderly Health Insurance Scheme', which will cover nearly 38 lakh senior citizens aged 70 and above. The scheme provides free medical treatment, including cancer care, advanced cardiac surgeries, organ transplants, and high-end diagnostic services at empanelled government and private hospitals, with no income ceiling. The announcement was made by Health Minister K.G. Arunraj in the State Assembly on Monday.
As part of the Health Department's policy announcements, the Minister made 115 decisions with a total estimated outlay of ₹2,997 crore. These include policy reforms, universal free health services, creation of new posts, infrastructure projects, equipment procurement, direct beneficiary programmes, and digital health initiatives.
The Minister also stated that the 87-year-old Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, will be replaced with a modern, comprehensive Act to address current and future health challenges. A new provision will make unsupervised home births outside hospitals a punishable offence. Additionally, the government plans to establish 'TN Medicity', a world-class integrated medical hub comprising clinical services, research, medical tourism, and AYUSH. An allocation of ₹10 crore has been made for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report in the first phase.
A new scheme called 'Nalam 360 - Annual Free Health Check-up for All' will be rolled out, offering everyone aged 30 and above 14 basic tests annually, free of cost, across 1,257 government health facilities in the State. These tests include blood pressure, ECG, haemoglobin, complete haemogram, random blood sugar, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, serum bilirubin, urine albumin, and VIA screening. For the first time, the Health Department will introduce Home Based Diagnostic Services in metropolitan areas on a public-private partnership model.
Several policy reforms were also announced, including a 'Positive Health Policy' to promote holistic health and wellbeing, accompanied by a 'Nalam 360' mobile application. A new legislation, 'TN Institutions of State Importance in Health Care Act', will be introduced to create institutions of State importance for providing world-class medical services.
Addressing a long-standing demand, the Minister announced the creation of 2,500 permanent posts for staff nurses. Existing contract nurses on consolidated pay will be absorbed into regular time-scale pay. A total of 1,695 nursing posts on consolidated pay will be created at a cost of ₹42.72 crore. Additionally, 3,594 medical staff across 24 categories, including pharmacists, nursing assistants, village health nurses, and ophthalmic assistants, will be recruited through the Medical Services Recruitment Board. The department will also create 284 temporary super speciality posts across 25 specialities such as neurology, cardiology, and nephrology, on time-scale pay, to bring advanced medical care to the district level. These posts will accommodate doctors who complete their post-graduation and are posted in government hospitals on bond conditions.
Several announcements for infrastructural development, such as new hospital buildings and medical equipment, were also made as part of the comprehensive plan.
