Government Schemes for Cancer Treatment.

Posted On: 2022-11-22 17:50:22

According to data from the cancer registry, 8,00,000 new instances of cancer are anticipated in India each year. Only 20% of Indians nationwide have health insurance. Over 80% of Indians are still without health insurance, some of whom may not be aware that they are eligible for government-sponsored insurance. 

 

Apart from cancer, there are other chronic diseases like arthritis, stroke, asthma, heart disease and others that can break a patient's hopes to get cured. Living with chronic diseases can be depressing in itself especially when a patient has to stay isolated. But the problems with chronic diseases just do not end here. Following specific routines and diets, and undergoing prolonged, rigorous treatments that are pretty expensive that add to the burden of chronic diseases. 

 

Many a time, a person's entire life savings might get used to afford the prolonged treatment of chronic illnesses. Health insurance claims too, are not enough to meet the ends in such situations. 

 

 

 

1. The Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) is a programme offered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. Patients who are below the poverty level can access this. Follow these steps if you want to avail of the benefits of this scheme: 

1. Fill out the form, have the treating physician sign it, and get the medical director of the government hospital, institution, or regional cancer centre to countersign it.

2. A copy of the income certificate should be submitted.

3. Copy of the ration card must be submitted.

 

2. Central Government Health Scheme

The scheme is for both active and retired Central Government personnel as well as their dependents, CGHS is applicable. Other than the hospitals established under the CGHS, cancer treatment is available at approved prices from any hospital. 

 

To avail the benefits: 

Download the application, then submit it with your eligibility documentation. The members who are eligible for ar-

1. Every member of the Central Government receives compensation from Central Civil Estimates as well as their dependent family members who live in CGHS-covered regions.
2. Central Government Pensioners/families receiving pensions under central civil estimates, as well as their eligible dependent relatives.
3. Both current and former members of congress
4. Former vice presidents
5. Supreme Court Justices Currently Serving and Retired.
6. Retired High Court judge.
7. Employees and retirees of a few autonomous or statutory organisations have access to Delhi's CGHS facilities.
8. Personnel from the Delhi Police only in Delhi.
9. Railroad Board personnel
10. Employees of the Post and Telegraph Department.

 

3. The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund

In response to a request made by the country's then-prime minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was created with financial support from the general people to aid those who had been forcibly evacuated.

Originally meant for victims of natural catastrophes, it offers partial coverage for procedures including heart surgery, kidney transplants, and cancer treatment. Follow this procedure to avail the benefits.

1. See whether the hospital that you are taking treatment is included on this list.

Download the application.

-Send two passport-sized photos of the patient, a copy of residency documentation, an original medical certificate outlining the condition and expected cost, and an income certificate to the PMO.

 

4. State Illness Assistance Fund

Illness Assistance Funds have been established by States and Union territories, with the help of the legislature, and provide coverage for cancer treatment at government hospitals within the state up to Rs. 1 lakh. Despite the fact that this programme is not available in all nations, except for Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladhak, and Daman and Diu. 

To avail: 

Find out whether your state provides SIAF.

Fill out the application form

and submit it to the government hospital with a BPL card and two photos.

 

5. National Health Protection Scheme

The National Health Protection Scheme, an Ayushman Bharat project, covers secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation up to 5 lakh rupees per family per year. It provides low-cost medical care to more than 50 crore Indian citizens.

Two sections make up the main goal of the Ayushman Bharat NHPS. Visit this website to find out more information.

 

These schemes can help cancer patients and their families shake off a part of the burden of expensive treatments for chronic diseases. Another way to cope with such expensive treatments is through medical crowdfunding. 

 

 

 

Medical crowdfunding can assure solving financial constraints when chronic diseases demand prolonged and expensive treatments. With crowdfunding, there is no restriction on how many times you can raise funds. For prolonged treatment that needs many sessions of medical support, you can fundraise as many times as funds are needed. Filaantro is one such trustworthy online crowdfunding platform that raises funds for medical emergencies and for chronic diseases. It has a user-friendly interface. The process of running the online fundraiser takes place with a few simple steps of registration and filling in details. 

Visit: https://filaantro.org/ to know more

 

Author: Anjali Patel