A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed recently by the Education Ministry Secretary Sunil Hettiarachchi and Sri Lanka Insurance Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya at the launch of the free medical insurance scheme for school children at the Ministry of Education recently. “The free medical insurance scheme ‘Sisu Suraksha’ was launched to reduce the burden of the poor parents in the country and it is a footstep of the free education pioneer C.W.W. Kannangara. It is another addition to the free education system, uniform and books in the education sector and this health insurance scheme will further enhance free education in Sri Lanka.
A unique feature of this free insurance scheme is that it will not only help schoolchildren in a need of the hour but will also financially support their parents and guardians in case of accident, disability and death,” said Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.
The Minister said that the ‘Sisu Suraksha’ is for the 4.5 million students in the country between the ages of 5 to 19. “The scheme will be effective from October 1 in parallel with World Children’s Day covering all students in government schools, non-aided or aided private schools, Pirivena schools and international schools. Under this scheme, if a student is hospitalised at a government hospital, Rs.1000 will be paid daily for up to 30 days and each student would be entitled to this benefit twice a year. If hospitalised in a private hospital, each student will get up to Rs.1,00,000 to settle the bills,” he said.
“The insurance scheme will provide Rs. 200,000 for hospitalization. In case of death of a parent, a student would be paid up to Rs.75,000 to complete his/her education, while in the case of the death of a student, Rs.100,000 would be paid to the immediate family. The scheme will also provide Rs.10,000 per day for OPD treatment. We are also looking at the possibility of getting 20 percent discount for students consulting private doctors and specialist consultants at private hospitals.
The school principals have the responsibility to implement this scheme in a successful manner. Relevant circulars in this regard will be sent to schools in due course,” he further added.
He said that the Health Insurance scheme worth of Rs 500,000 for school children generates dividends over Rs. 500,000. “Children with critical illnesses will have the cover extended up to Rs 100 million.
These illnesses include cancer, renal failure, primary pulmonary arterial hypertension, multiple sclerosis, major organ transplantation, coronary artery (by-pass) surgery, surgery-aorta, heart valve replacement, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart attack, coma, blindness and paralysis.
The health scheme for students was a 2017 Budget proposal and the government had allocated Rs 2.7 billion for this purpose. The scheme will be implemented through the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd. subject to an annual premium of 2,348 billion rupees as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee,” he said.