In a first, Symbiosis University to provide universal healthcare for all its staff members

Pune: Rising costs of healthcare services entailing out of pocket expenditure of the consumer which in turn pushes a sizable proportion of the Indian population below the poverty line are a testimony to the fact that affordability forms a key factor for healthcare services in India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on its 70th anniversary has rightly issued guidelines of “Universal Health coverage for everyone everywhere”. Furthermore, the Government of India has recently announced Modicare-National Protection Health scheme- Ayushman Bharat under which a cover of upto Rs 5 Lakh per family is provided for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.

Following these national and international initiatives, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), has now introduced a model called SYMBICARE to offer affordable and accessible healthcare services to all staff members by way of providing Mediclaim and Road/ Rail Traffic Accident (RTA) policy for all its staff members right from the date of joining the Symbiosis family.

The entire insurance premium of Rs 1 crore will be borne by Symbiosis management for staff members across all grades. Further, the Symbiosis management has also decided to increase the insurance coverage across all grades. A key feature is the insurance coverage provided under the keyman insurance policy. The insurance benefit coverage will be extended through National Insurance Company, a GOI subsidy.

This landmark initiative by the Symbiosis management is a welcome pioneering initiative being undertaken in the educational sector in India. As per the management, it in sync with the SIUs mission of establishing itself as the first health promoting university in the country.