Swasthya Sathi crosses one crore hospitalisation mark in Bengal – GetBengal story
The West Bengal government’s flagship health assurance programme, Swasthya Sathi, has achieved a major milestone by crossing the 1-crore hospitalisation mark since its inception. The state has so far spent ₹13,156 crore on beneficiaries under the scheme, which was officially launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on December 30, 2016.
Today, the scheme provides coverage to nearly 9 crore residents from 2.5 crore families across Bengal. “Swasthya Sathi — the all-inclusive, unique health assurance scheme of the Bengal government — achieved the 1 crore hospitalisation mark on October 31. Any resident of Bengal is eligible to avail of the benefits of Swasthya Sathi if not covered by any other state-sponsored scheme. More than 8.5 crore residents of the state are covered under the scheme,” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X on Monday.
The Swasthya Sathi cell of the state health department confirmed that the cumulative number of hospitalisations crossed the 1-crore threshold this week. In recent years, the scheme has been recording around 21 lakh hospitalisations annually. Each family is eligible for cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
Health department officials revealed that cancer treatment accounts for the largest share of the government’s expenditure under Swasthya Sathi, with approximately ₹500 crore spent annually. The scheme has significantly improved treatment completion rates, particularly for breast cancer patients. Patients undergoing dialysis have also emerged as major beneficiaries. The state government funds about 2,000 dialysis sessions every day.
While the number of orthopaedic surgeries under the scheme in private hospitals has declined because these cases are now directed to government facilities, cardio-thoracic and cardiac surgeries are on the rise. According to a senior health official, “ There are at least 139 cath labs across the state, compared to less than 30 earlier. Patients who earlier avoided cardiac treatment, especially in rural areas, are now receiving the care they need under Swasthya Sathi.”
The scheme receives between 5,000 and 7,000 claims daily from hospitals across Bengal. Private hospitals have also acknowledged the smooth functioning of the scheme.
Swasthya Sathi is one of India's largest government-funded health insurance schemes, for its robust IT systems, timely payments, and broad coverage. The project is a testament to West Bengal's dedication to providing affordable, accessible healthcare to all its residents, as it surpasses the one-crore hospitalisation milestone.
