Cashless Treatment: The Delhi government has given the green light to the “Delhi Building and Construction Workers Health Scheme” for the state’s 270,000 registered construction workers and their families. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. This initiative will provide beneficiaries with medical treatment coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh per year without the need for cash transactions.
Approximately Rs 200 crore will be allocated annually by the government for this health scheme, benefiting around 1 million individuals, including registered workers, their spouses, children, and parents.
Key points of the scheme include
– Each registered worker is eligible for free treatment up to Rs 2 lakh at designated hospitals, with a maximum coverage of Rs 10 lakh for the entire family, all facilitated through a cashless process.
– Beneficiaries will have access to free outpatient and inpatient services, diagnostic and laboratory tests, emergency medical aid, and referrals. Moreover, workers and their spouses will receive complimentary annual health check-ups.
To ensure accessibility, “mobile medical units” will be dispatched by the government to offer healthcare services at construction sites and areas with a high density of labor. Health records will be digitized for beneficiaries, and a modern tracking system will be established to enhance transparency and oversight.
Chief Minister Gupta emphasized the necessity of this comprehensive health scheme due to the health risks construction workers face, such as silicosis, respiratory issues, and skin conditions. He highlighted the frequent exposure of workers to hazards like stone-cutting dust, chemicals, loud noise, heavy machinery, and physically demanding work environments.
The Chief Minister stated that construction workers are exposed to dust, chemicals, heavy machinery, and difficult working conditions. This increases the risk of problems like silicosis, respiratory illnesses, and skin diseases. Through the scheme, these workers will be able to receive timely checkups and treatment. Additionally, listed hospitals will provide OPD and IPD services, testing, emergency medical assistance, and referral facilities. To increase access to workers, mobile medical units will be operated at construction sites and labor-intensive areas. A 24-hour toll-free helpline will also be launched to assist workers. According to the Delhi government, the scheme is estimated to cost approximately Rs 200 crore annually.