‘Dengue not included under Arogyasri’

Hyderabad, Oct 27: Minister for Arogyasri Pithani Satyanarayana on Tuesday categorically made it clear that treatment of dengue would not come under the purview of the Rajiv Arogyasri scheme.Talking to media persons, he said the government, however, is considering treating dengue under a special package. Under the package, the government would provide referral centres for treatment of dengue in 11 hospitals across the state.When the reporters drew the minister’s attention to the reported statement of Health Minister Danam Nagender on inclusion of dengue under the Arogyasri scheme and the consequent affirmation from the Chief Minister’s office over the issue, the  Minister feigned ignorance.

He said the health insurance scheme was meant to treat identified serious ailments. “It is difficult to diagnose dengue and a patient admitted for suspected dengue may turn out to have some other fever,” he explained.However, he clarified the Chief Minister was still considering various options for including dengue treatment in Arogyasri scheme.