Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part D (2025)

This study explores the challenges and opportunities experienced by beneficiaries of the Swasthya Sathi Scheme in Konnagar Municipality, Hooghly District, with a focus on two core areas: the acceptability of the scheme in large private hospitals and the out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure incurred by families above the poverty line (APL) who were included at a later stage. Using a structured questionnaire, 47 female heads of households were surveyed to assess their awareness, utilization, and satisfaction with the scheme, particularly regarding hospitalization in private facilities and financial burdens. The findings reveal mixed experiences; while the scheme’s cashless benefits are widely appreciated, around 33% of beneficiaries reported incurring OOP expenses due to non-covered services and procedural delays. Acceptability in private hospitals showed variations based on hospital cooperation and patient support services. The study highlights the importance of targeted community awareness, improved service quality in private empaneled hospitals, and enhanced financial protection measures. This research contributes to understanding beneficiary perspectives to improve implementation and optimize health outcomes within Swasthya Sathi.