Question : FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO POOR PATIENTS

(a) the criteria and procedure laid down for granting financial assistance to the poor patients to meet heir medical expenses from his Discretionary Fund and also under the Cancer Patient Fund;

(b) the number of patients benefited thereby alongwith the financial assistance provided to them from the said funds during the last three years and the current year, separately, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether complaints have been received regarding delay in processing of applications seeking assistance under the said funds;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the corrective steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)to(e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 513 FOR 30TH APRIL, 2010

(a) The criteria for granting assistance to poor people under Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG)are as under:

(i) Poor patients with family income less than Rs.75,000/- annually and suffering from major illness and requiring one time treatment in government hospitals/institutions are eligible for financial assistance under HMDG.

(ii) Financial assistance limits are as: (a) Rs.20,000/- if the estimated cost of treatment is up to Rs. 50,000/- .(b) Rs.40,000/- if the estimated cost of treatment is above Rs.50,000/- & up to Rs. 1,00,000/- . (c) Rs.50,000/- if the estimated cost of treatment is above Rs.1,00,000/-.

2. The applicant has to submit an application in the prescribed Performa duly filled in by the treating Doctor/HOD and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital (Government Hospital) where the patient is receiving the treatment, alongwith income certificate in original from the BDO/ Tehsildar /Collector /SDM.

3. The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) technically appraises the proposal and clears it. Thereafter, the approval of Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare is obtained for granting financial assistance to the eligible patient. A cheque of the admissible amount is issued to the hospital that has to submit utilization certificate to the Ministry.

Under the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF), the criteria is as under:

(i) Financial assistance is provided to patients, below poverty line suffering from Cancer and undergoing treatment in Government hospitals and any of the 27 Regional Cancer Centres.

(ii) The financial assistance to the Cancer Patient up to Rs.1,00,000/- (Rs. One lakhs only), is processed by the concerned Institute /Hospitals through the revolving fund placed at their disposal. The cases of financial assistance above this limit are to be referred by the Hospitals for assistance from Central Funds.

(b) Details are annexed.

(c) No, Madam.

(d)&(e) Does not arise in view of (c) above.