Jammu and Kashmir Right To Information (RTI) Movement has demanded that the government must take steps to ensure to provide the health insurance card also called Golden Cards without any difficulty to people as many of them are made to wait for months to get the same.
In a statement, Chairman RTI Movement Raja Muzaffar Bhat said that people especially those belonging to economically weaker sections of the society are facing challenges in getting free treatment in government and private hospitals as they have not been provided the Golden Cards. Those who have applied haven’t received it for a long time and many are not even being registered due to some technical issues especially in the Chadoora area of Budgam district. This includes some cancer patients as well who are moving from pillar to post.
‘In areas like Wathoora, Gopalpora in Chadoora people are totally denied the Golden Cards for some technical reasons as these areas according to Khidmat Center officials are not registered on the online portal. This is an official apathy and people are made to suffer. Even cancer patients haven’t been provided Golden cards which is a matter of concern. On one hand, PM Modi launches special health insurance scheme Sahat for J-K, and on the other side people are even denied the basic service of Golden Card,“ said Muzaffar.
He appealed to authorities especially Director Health Services Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Budgam to intervene.