The Delhi government on Tuesday approved a health scheme for registered construction workers and their family members, providing them up to Rs 10 lakh cashless medical treatment cover.
The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The government estimates to spend approximately Rs 200 crore annually on the scheme, the CMO said in a statement.
The Delhi Building and Construction Workers Health Scheme will benefit about 2.70 lakh registered workers and their families, covering around 10 lakh people, it said.
Each registered worker will be entitled to treatment of up to Rs 2 lakh at empanelled hospitals, while the limit for a family will be up to Rs 10 lakh. The entire treatment process will be cashless, eliminating any financial burden on the workers and their families, Chief Minister Gupta said in the statement.
The family members of workers, including their spouses, children and parents will be covered by the cashless medical treatment facility, she said.
The scheme will also provide annual health check-ups for registered workers and their spouses.
In addition, beneficiaries will have access to free outdoor and indoor patients department services, diagnostic and laboratory facilities, emergency medical assistance and referral services. Healthcare services will also be delivered through mobile medical units at construction sites and in areas with a high concentration of workers, Gupta said.
According to the chief minister, digital health records of beneficiaries will be created under the scheme, and a modern beneficiary tracking system will be developed to ensure effective monitoring and transparency in service delivery.
Gupta said construction workers are the foundation of the capital’s development and strengthening their health and social security remains a key priority of the government.
It is with this objective that the cabinet has approved this important health scheme for the workers who are routinely exposed to stone-cutting dust, chemicals, excessive noise, heavy machinery, and physically demanding working conditions, she said.
Under tough working conditions, the construction workers are vulnerable to silicosis (a lung disease), respiratory ailments, skin disorders and other serious health problems, the chief minister said and added that a comprehensive health protection scheme for this section had long been lacking.
