The Lok Satta Party today strongly refuted the Congress claim that "Aarogya Sri" is a boon to people below the poverty line by pointing out that it took care of only one per cent of diseases the people are vulnerable to.
"For the other 99 per cent of diseases, people have to meet the expenses", said Mr. D. V. V. S. Varma, Lok Satta Party Secretary, in a statement.

Mr. Varma was responding to Congress Legislature Party Chief Whip Kiran Kumar Reddy describing Lok Satta objections to "Aarogya Sri" as cheap.

Mr. Varma pointed out that assistance under "Aarogya Sri" was extended to people suffering from only critical illnesses like those affecting heart or kidney but not ordinary ailments. Such eligible diseases constitute only one per cent of the diseases the people are prone to.

On Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy's claim that the Government released Rs.146 crore for drugs, Mr. Varma asked how much of it was allocated to primary health centres and their sub-centres. How could "Aarogya Sri" be described as a public health policy when it ignored maternity care, infectious diseases and general ailments, he asked.

The Lok Satta Leader pointed out that unable to meet health care costs and running into debts, 60 lakh people were sliding below the poverty line every year. But by extending assistance to some 3500 people, the Government claimed it was doing a lot for the poor.

Mr. Varma defended the Lok Satta contention that "Aarogya Sri" benefited only corporate hospitals by saying that most of the 3500 beneficiaries under the scheme were treated in private hospitals and the role of Government hospitals was nominal.

He demanded that the Government strengthen Government hospitals and primary health centres.