Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday unveiled a healthcare scheme aimed at benefitting about 1.43 crore households in the state.

"The 'Arogya Karnataka' (Healthy Karnataka) will provide quality primary, secondary and tertiary treatment to both BPL and APL families in the state," Siddaramaiah said after unveiling the scheme in the city. It is a step towards a healthier and more productive Karnataka, he said. "Through the scheme, all below-poverty-line (BPL) households will get free treatment at government hospitals while for above-poverty-line (APL) households, the state will bear about 30 per cent of the treatment cost."

Nearly 1.05 crore households can get access to healthcare entirely free of cost through the "Universal Health Card" to be linked to Aadhaar card, he said. In line with the 'Modicare' of the central government, Siddaramaiah had announced during the Budget presentation last month that Karnataka, too, would soon provide healthcare for all. The state Budget, however, did not mention the funds for the scheme's implementation. As mentioned in the Budget, the scheme is expected to be implemented in the entire state by December.