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Key Points

BJP's Amit Malviya has accused West Bengal's Swasthya Sathi scheme of being a scam targeting poor patients. He cited an incident where a TMC MLA allegedly denied treatment under the scheme at his private nursing home. Malviya demanded the implementation of Ayushman Bharat for better healthcare transparency. The controversy highlights the ongoing political battle between BJP and TMC over health policies.

Key Points: Amit Malviya Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Swasthya Sathi Scam Claims

  • Malviya alleges Swasthya Sathi is corrupt
  • Cites TMC MLA rejecting scheme at own hospital
  • Demands Ayushman Bharat for Bengal
  • Claims scheme lacks transparency
2 min read

'Tool to loot poor patients': Amit Malviya on Bengal govt's health scheme

BJP's Amit Malviya accuses Bengal govt of looting poor patients under Swasthya Sathi, demands Ayushman Bharat implementation.

"Mamata Banerjee’s Swasthya Sathi is a scam — ineffective, unaccountable, and a tool to loot poor patients. - Amit Malviya"

Kolkata, June 18

The BJP Information Technology cell chief and the party’s central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, on Wednesday, slammed the state government over the Swasthya Sathi scheme, alleging that the scheme is a tool to "loot" poor patients.

He also claimed that what the people of West Bengal needed was the national health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat. “West Bengal desperately needs Ayushman Bharat! Mamata Banerjee’s so-called Swasthya Sathi scheme is nothing but a scam in the name of healthcare — ineffective, unaccountable, and a tool to loot poor patients,” said Malviya.

In fact, since the beginning, the Swasthya Sathi scheme has been shrouded in controversy after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to allow the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in the state, only to push the state’s own health insurance scheme. Since then, there have been several rounds of heated political debates between Trinamool Congress and BJP leaders over the qualitative comparisons between Ayushman Bharat and Swasthya Sathi.

Meanwhile, in support of his claims, Malviya quoted an example of how Swasthya Sathi was rejected by a private nursing home owned by one of the influential legislators of Trinamool Congress, who also happens to be a medical practitioner.

Quoting media reports, Malviya said that Saraju Nursing Home at Sinthi in North Kolkata, which is owned by the Trinamool Congress legislator from Serampore assembly constituency in Hooghly district, Dr. Sudipto Roy, rejected free treatment facilities under the Swasthya Sathi card held by a patient admitted there.

“TMC MLA from Serampore, Dr. Sudipta Roy, owns Saraju Nursing Home in Sinthi, North Kolkata. A patient admitted under the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme — which is supposed to be completely free — was threatened and asked to pay money, or treatment would be stopped. This is the state of healthcare under TMC — corrupt leaders, extortion rackets, and helpless patients,” Malviya claimed in his statement.

He also said that since the people of West Bengal deserved better, Ayushman Bharat should be implemented in the state to ensure real, transparent, and accountable healthcare for all.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments in the requested format:
R
Rajesh K.
As someone from Kolkata, I've seen both schemes. While Swasthya Sathi has helped many, the implementation is patchy. Why can't we have both schemes running? More options for healthcare are always better for common people like us. 🤔
P
Priya M.
Instead of political mudslinging, both state and central governments should work together to improve healthcare infrastructure in Bengal. Patients are suffering while politicians score points. Shameful!
A
Arjun S.
My relative in Howrah got treatment under Swasthya Sathi without any issues. Not saying the scheme is perfect, but calling it a complete scam is political exaggeration. Every scheme has teething problems that need fixing.
S
Sunita R.
The real issue is private hospitals rejecting both schemes! My father was turned away from 3 hospitals in Kolkata despite having Swasthya Sathi card. Government should make it mandatory for all hospitals to accept these health schemes.
D
Deepak B.
Why is Bengal always opposing central schemes? Whether it's Ayushman Bharat or other programs, this stubbornness only harms common people. A true leader would accept good schemes regardless of who started them.
M
Meena G.
As a doctor, I see both sides. The concept of Swasthya Sathi is good but reimbursement delays make hospitals reluctant. Instead of blaming each other, fix the payment system and increase coverage. Healthcare shouldn't be politicized. 🏥

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