Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: A four-member team from Sikkim met with Nagaland officials in Kohima on Monday to study the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme. The visit focuses on how Nagaland provides cashless care across borders. Karma N. Bhutia, secretary to the Sikkim Chief Minister, led the delegation to the Nagaland Civil Secretariat. They met with Nagaland Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema.
Bhutia explained that Sikkim leadership ordered the study after a NITI Aayog meeting on June 12. Nagaland’s system caught their attention because it covers patients at hospitals outside the state. Bhutia noted that while Nagaland faced hurdles with hospital ties and payments, the current system is a success. "Sikkim was keen to learn from Nagaland's experience," Bhutia said.
Sema outlined the growth of the program from the Central Government Health Insurance Scheme. He admitted the early days were rough. Limited hospital options and low payments slowed progress. The state eventually hiked reimbursement rates and added more medical centers to the network. Currently, over 70 hospitals participate in the program. This list includes private and government facilities in Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati. Sikkim now wants technical advice to build a similar foundation.
Comments