New Delhi: The Centre will launch a new health protection scheme under which a cover up to Rs one lakh per family will be provided bedsides opening around 3,000 medical stores across the country to provide quality medicines at affordable prices.

In the back drop of emergence of around 2.2 lakh patients of End Stage Renal Disease in India every year and resulting in additional demand for 3.4 crore dialysis sessions, the government will also initiate a National Dialysis Services Programme to provide dialysis services in all district hospitals.