An additional Rs 200 crore has been granted for Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASAP) which ensures the healthcare of 42 lakh families in the state. With this additional allocation, the total amount granted for the flagship scheme in the present financial year has gone up to Rs 800 crore. The scheme has been launched by the state government with the objective of avoiding a situation where sudden heavy medical expenses push ordinary families into financial ruin.  An average of 180 patients per hour (3 patients per 1 minute) benefit from it. At present, 1,667 treatment packages are included as part of the scheme and its service is available in 200 government and 544 private hospitals in the state. The whole family or just one person can get help through the scheme. Age limit of family members, number of family members, or eligibility is not criteria for this scheme. Any person who joins the scheme will get medical assistance without any preferential criteria. Central and State Government Integrated Scheme RSBY, Chis, a Kerala government scheme,SCHIS, a comprehensive health insurance scheme for persons aged 60 years and above in RSBY/CHIS families,Karunya Benevolent Fund or KBF, a trust model scheme implemented by the Lottery Department, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJY) have been integrated with the KASP scheme. The scheme covers medical expenses for three days prior to hospitalization for treatment and medicines for 15 days post hospitalization (as prescribed by the doctor). Treatment is available free of charge from all selected institutions irrespective of government or private hospitals. Currently, enrollment in the scheme can be done from kiosks in KASP-empaneled hospitals. All members of the family can join the scheme using KASP identity card of the person who is a member of the scheme , Aadhaar card, and ration card . Information on private hospitals providing services is available at www.sha.kerala.gov.in. For queries regarding the Karunya Suraksha Scheme, please contact Disha on 1056/104 or 0471 2551056.