Bangalore: Can any one believe that one can undergo an open-heart surgery for a sum as meagre as Rs 60 in a reputed cardiology hospital in this hitech city? Though unbelievable, it is a reality in Karnataka. Thanks to the "Yashasvini" insurance programme launched by the Karnataka government for the benefit of farmers, which has brought the healthcare to them at a negligible cost.

It has been a "rebirth" for the 19 year-old N D Prasanna Kumar, a milk supplier from Tumkur district in Karnataka, who recently underwent an open-heart surgery at the Narayana Hrudayalaya, paying an unbelievable sum of Rs 60.

"I have been given a new lease of life by Dr Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya. I still cannot believe that it has been done with just Rs 60 and that I will not have to pay a paisa more even for further check up", he said.

"Dr Devi Shetty has been god for us. But for him, a poor farmer like me would not have gone for this expensive operation (open heart surgery), which has cost me just Rs 60.

Yashasvini, the country's first health insurance scheme for farmers in the rural sector, the brain child of Dr Devi Shetty, well-known heart surgeon was launched in the state on June 2.

Through this unique public-private partnership, the state is seeking to reach quality healthcare to its farmers by leveraging on the cooperative movement, Dr Shetty said.

PTI