GUWAHATI, May 10 � The State Government has urged the needy people to avail the benefits of Assam Arogya Nidhi under which financial assistance up to Rs 1.5 lakh is given for medical treatment.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while distributing cheques to 24 beneficiaries at NRHM head office here said the scheme is yet to get due acceptance from the people, especially the needy ones.
�Every year, the government releases Rs 2.5 crore for the scheme and a like amount is given by the Centre too, making it a total fund of Rs 5 crore. But unfortunately, we have not received enough applications, and as a result of which a good portion of the money remained unspent,� Sarma told newsmen today.
Heart surgery, kidney transplant, cancer, HIV AIDS, chronic mental illness and brain tumor are among the diseases covered by the scheme.
�The treatment could be availed by those whose monthly income is less than Rs 10,000 a month in a number of empanelled hospitals in and outside the State,� he said.
Further, the Minister informed that the government will soon pass an order according to which the principal of the medical colleges in the State would have the discretion to make MRI and CT scan examinations free of cost for the poorer section of the society.
�A form will have to be filled up there and then and it would be up to the principal of the medical college to allow MRI and CT scan free of cost,� the Minister said. He added that the thrust is on making the treatment cash-less but even if the treatment cost is paid, the money would be reimbursed.
NRHM Mission director Prateek Hajela was also present on the occasion.
Free health camp
Guwahati, May 10 � United Bank of India will organise a free health camp in collaboration with Rahman Hospital, Six Mile, on Sunday from 9 am. The target group for the camp is poor and destitute people from areas in and around Guwahati. Free medicines will also be distributed, a press release said.