NEW DELHI: A unique health insurance scheme would be part of the proposed Universal Health Assurance Mission (UHAM) of the central government, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said.

"The health insurance scheme of the UHAM is poised to become the world's largest public health insurance programme," Harsh Vardhan told the media at a briefing to list the achievement of his ministry in the first 100 days.

He said that the new insurance scheme would be free for those below the poverty line and the premium for others would also be low.

"At present, health insurance touches about 25 percent of population. We will spread the population of the insured rapidly, resulting in sharp fall in premium rates and many consumer benefits," the health minster added.

He said that an autonomous UHAM agency will be formed to ensure above-board operations and genuine protection of the insured.

The health ministry had set up an expert group to prepare the roadmap for the universal health mission, Harsh Vardhan said adding that the expert group submitted its report within eight weeks of its formation, which is right now under the consideration of the health ministry.

Asserting that his ministry was focussed on improving the health infrastructure in the country, the minister said that he was in favour of the decisions taken by the previous UPA government to introduce rural cadre of doctors who would serve at primary health centres.

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