State cabinet on Friday gave its approval to merge and integrate various ongoing health schemes in the state into one and named it after late freedom fighter Khoobchand Baghel, who dreamt about the separate state of Chhattisgarh.

Health Minister T.S. Singhdeo briefing media persons about the cabinet decisions informed that instead of hybrid, the new scheme will be run under trust (assurance) mode.

All the government healthcare schemes including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Mukhmantri Bal Shrawan Yojana and National Child Health Programme ‘Chirayu’ would now be integrated, the minister said.

State Nodal Agency         established under Directorate Health Services will be implementing the scheme and paying to the hospitals instead of insurance company, the minister      further informed.

“The cabinet also approved renaming of Sanjivani Sahayata Kosh as Chief Minister’s Special Health Support Scheme and increased the assistance limit under it to Rs 20 lakh from earlier Rs 5 lakh”, the minister added.

The cabinet also gave nod to draft MoU for allotment of land to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur in Nava Raipur.

It also approved various other announcements made  earlier, including declaring ‘Arpa Pairi Ke Dhaar’ as state’s official song and for relaxation in prices of houses constructed by Chhattisgarh Housing Board.

It also slashed the entry fee for the Jangal Safari in Naya Raipur to half and made it free for children below 12 years of age and for differently abled.