Mangalore: Manipal University has launched the Arogya Card 2014 as part of its social initiative with the objective to provide quality healthcare at affordable cost to a large section of the society in Mangalore on June 27th Friday.

Manipal Arogya Card enables a member to avail large benefits by way of discounts on in-patient and out-patient treatment in various networked hospitals under Manipal Health Enterprises in the Coastal belt.

Announcing the Manipal Arogya Card Scheme 2014, Dr Surendra Shetty, Pro vice chancellor Manipal University, Mangalore Campus, spoke about the initiatives of Manipal University with regard to its corporate social responsibilities.

Dr M V Prabhu, dean, KMC Mangalore, spoke on healthcare delivery system based on the Public Private Partnership model. He also added that by paying a small sum as membership fee anybody can obtain membership and he/she will receive his investment back as concessions from just two or three usages of the card. The membership will close on July 26. The scheme 2014 plans to enroll about 2 lac members.

Dr Madhusudan Upadya stated that free consultations at KMC Hospital Attavar and 50% discount on consultation at KMC Hospital Ambedkar Circle with any specialist/super specialist doctor any number of times during the year is the most attractive among the outpatient benefits of the card. 20% discount on diagnostics and laboratory investigations give considerable relief to the patient.

“There will be up to 10% rebate on medicines purchased from Hospital pharmacy with prescriptions. There is a flat 25% concession on the In Patient bill (excluding consumables) for any number of times during the year and up to 10% concession on medicines purchased from pharmacy for patients in Kasturba Hospital and KMC Hospitals Mangalore, and Dr T M A Pai Hospital Udupi and Dr T M A Pai Hospital, Karkala offers 15% concession for patients in all the wards” Dr Upadya said. As a special gesture, the KMC Hospitals, Mangalore would be offering additional 5% discount for senior citizens during this scheme period.

Moreover, Dr Upadya added, during the scheme 2013, about Rs 2.00 crore were given off as concession to the members. There were about 5000 In Patients and about 80,000 out patients who benefitted from Manipal Arogya Card scheme. Manipal Arogya Card is a unique scheme in which the discounts on treatment can be availed on pre-existing diseases as well.

Manipal Arogya Card is priced at just Rs 250/- for an individual card and Rs 500/- for a family card. Family includes the card holder, spouse and children below 25 years of age (any number of unmarried children). An add-on card is also available for the parents of primary card holders under the family card scheme for Rs 100/- per parent. For renewal card, 10% discount on membership fee is offered.

Manipal Arogya Card is available at the Manipal Health Enterprises network Hospitals, Syndicate Bank branches in Karnataka and in North Kerala and at authorized associates of Manipal Arogya Card. Helpline at Mangalore 0824 2444 590 or 99805 43637 has been set-up to provide more information about the Scheme.

Dr. Anand Venugopal, medical superintendent, Dr. Madhusudan Upadya, medical superintendent and Saghir Siddiqui, unit head, KMC Hospitals Mangalore were also present. – Press Release