Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka Scheme : Under the Karnataka Government’s Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka (AB PMJAY–CM’s ArK) scheme, patients suffering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)—a serious neurological disorder—can now receive free treatment worth up to ₹2 lakh.
To reduce the financial burden on poor and economically weaker families, the Health Department has included the high-cost and life-saving Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy under this scheme. IVIG is one of the most important treatments for GBS and was previously unaffordable for many patients.
With neurological disorders increasing rapidly in recent years and significantly impacting patients’ quality of life, the government has taken this step to ensure accessible, affordable, and timely treatment for vulnerable citizens.
What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a serious autoimmune neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. It often develops after a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection.
Due to damage to the nerve’s myelin sheath, nerve signals from the brain are disrupted. The condition usually begins with tingling, numbness, and weakness in the legs, spreading rapidly to the upper body.
In severe cases, patients may experience:
- Muscle paralysis
- Breathing difficulties
- Life-threatening medical emergencies
However, with timely treatment such as IVIG or plasma exchange, most patients recover fully.
Purpose of the Scheme
Many families lose access to proper treatment due to high medical expenses. Neurological conditions often require costly procedures such as:
- MRI and CT scans
- EEG and EMG tests
- IVIG medication
- Hospitalization and specialist care
To reduce this financial burden, the Karnataka Government decided to bear these costs and extend comprehensive support under the Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka scheme.
Benefits Available Under This Scheme
- Free IVIG therapy assistance up to ₹2,00,000 per patient
- IVIG included as an additional package under the scheme
- Government-fixed IVIG price at ₹2,000 per gram
- Dosage calculated at 2 grams per kg body weight
- Maximum 20 grams per treatment cycle
- Available in all government hospitals and empanelled private hospitals across Karnataka
Scheme Benefits Overview (Table)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka (AB PMJAY–CM’s ArK) |
| Disease Covered | Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) |
| Maximum Financial Assistance | Up to ₹2,00,000 |
| Key Treatment Covered | Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) |
| IVIG Cost Fixed By Govt | ₹2,000 per gram |
| Eligible Hospitals | Govt & Empanelled Private Hospitals |
| Beneficiary Type | BPL, EWS, and eligible APL families |
How to Get an Arogya Karnataka Health Card
- Register under Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka to receive the ABArK Health Card with a unique ID.
- Submit Aadhaar Card and Ration Card to obtain the card.
- RSBY card holders can also use their existing card.
- If Aadhaar is unavailable, registration is done using a ration card (treatment limited to public hospitals).
- Card fee:
- ₹10 at government health institutions
- ₹35 at Bengaluru One / Karnataka One centers
Who Is Eligible for This Scheme?
- Families below the poverty line (BPL)
- Economically weaker sections (EWS)
- APL card holders (government bears 30% cost, up to ₹1.5 lakh per family per year)
- Patients diagnosed with neurological disorders, including GBS
Where to Get More Information?
For further details, beneficiaries can contact:
- Nearest Primary Health Center (PHC)
- Taluk or District Government Hospital