Thu Dec 05 16:59:59 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Celebrates Healthcare Success, Seeks Universal Coverage
**Thiruvananthapuram, December 5, 2024** – Kerala is showcasing its advancements in healthcare financing and its commitment to achieving universal health coverage, according to Health Minister Veena George. Speaking at the Anubhav Sadas 2.0 national workshop, Ms. George highlighted Kerala’s success in providing free treatment to 6.5 lakh people under the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhati (KASP) scheme in 2024, a feat that has placed the state at the top nationally for three consecutive years.
The workshop, focused on health financing and universal health coverage, brought together representatives from various states and countries including Vietnam and Ghana, along with experts from NICE-UK. Discussions centered on strategies for reducing government expenditure, improving treatment outcomes, and minimizing out-of-pocket health expenses.
Kerala’s extensive experience with mass health financing schemes, dating back to 2008, was emphasized. While KASP, integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), covers 42 lakh families, the central government only subsidizes the premiums for 20 lakh, with the state bearing the remaining cost. Furthermore, the central government’s contribution towards the state’s overall health expenditure under KASP is a mere 10%, Ms. George noted. Despite this disparity, Kerala continues to prioritize its commitment to universal health coverage, utilizing learnings from the workshop to develop suitable financing models. The event featured presentations from national and international experts.
First Piper 