82% of disabled people do not have insurance

NCPEDP Executive Director Arman Ali said that these are not mere figures, they represent real people who have been deprived of health care. He said that health insurance is not a right for persons with disabilities, it is a necessity for living.

Deprived of health care
The survey revealed that despite the scheme's objective being to provide health care to the marginalised population, only 28 per cent of the persons with disabilities surveyed had taken the initiative to avail of it. NCPEDP Executive Director Arman Ali said that these are not mere figures, they represent real people who have been deprived of essential health care.

Delhi HC verdict on insurance
He said that health insurance is not a privilege for persons with disabilities, it is a necessity for living. The Delhi High Court verdict on insurance was a milestone, yet private insurance companies are refusing to provide this facility to them, there is lack of awareness and access.

Questioned the government too
Arman Ali also questioned the government's criteria and said that Ayushman Bharat benefits all senior citizens above the age of 70, but there is no such provision for disabled persons. He said that disability and poverty are part of a vicious circle. We are not just demanding schemes, we are demanding representation and policy changes.

Getting insurance is almost impossible
In the meeting, experts mentioned the obstacles that prevent disabled people from getting health insurance. Sandeep Chitnis, national secretary of Multiple Sclerosis Society of India, referring to the problems faced by many people, said, the moment your disability is detected, it becomes almost impossible to get insurance. Applications are rejected straightaway. We need a cashless, accessible system that does not penalize people for their disability.
82 percent of the disabled in the country do not have any kind of insurance. While 42 percent of the disabled are not aware of the government's flagship health scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This has been revealed in a nationwide survey. The National Disability Network (NDN) presented the results of the survey in a meeting held last week. In this meeting, civil society groups and disability rights organizations from more than 20 states gathered to discuss the burning issues facing the community.