Tamil Nadu Expands Healthcare Benefits: Medical Insurance Cover Raised to ₹25 Lakh

Tamil Nadu Announces Major Healthcare Reforms: Health Insurance Cover Raised to ₹25 Lakh

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced a series of major healthcare initiatives in the state, including a significant increase in the annual treatment coverage under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh.

The announcements were made under Rule 110 in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, with a focus on expanding affordable healthcare, strengthening medical infrastructure, improving cancer treatment, and increasing healthcare education opportunities.

As part of the new healthcare initiatives, a world-class 400-bed multi-speciality super-speciality hospital will be established in Perambur at an estimated cost of ₹300 crore. The facility is aimed at providing high-quality medical services to people in North Chennai.

The annual free treatment coverage under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme will be increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh, providing greater financial protection for eligible beneficiaries requiring advanced medical treatment.

Additional medical and surgical services for transgender persons will also be provided under the health insurance scheme at seven government medical college hospitals, including Stanley Medical College Hospital in Chennai, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Chengalpattu, Tiruvarur, Dharmapuri, and Kanniyakumari.

The government will allocate ₹351 crore to create additional student admission capacity for nursing and other medical-related courses in government medical colleges. Seven new government nursing colleges will also be established, creating 660 B.Sc. Nursing seats.

In addition, 6,098 new student seats will be created across existing nursing colleges and nursing schools in Tamil Nadu.

To strengthen cancer prevention and treatment, the government will implement the Chief Minister's Cancer Care Mission at an estimated cost of ₹673 crore. The initiative will focus on improving cancer detection, treatment, and healthcare infrastructure across the state.

An integrated cancer treatment centre will be established at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai at an estimated cost of ₹471 crore. The facility will have 14 floors, including the ground floor, and will provide advanced cancer care services.

Regional cancer centres will also be established at medical college hospitals in Thanjavur, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirunelveli, and Villupuram. As the first phase, a regional cancer centre will be established at Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital at an estimated cost of ₹84 crore, with a ground floor and eight additional floors.

Government medical college hospitals will also receive modern medical equipment worth ₹106 crore, including robotic surgery systems, linear accelerators for radiation treatment, and other advanced healthcare technologies.

These announcements are aimed at expanding access to affordable and advanced medical care, strengthening government healthcare infrastructure, improving cancer treatment facilities, and creating more opportunities for students pursuing healthcare and nursing education across Tamil Nadu.