Chief Minister announces new health schemes for people living below poverty line
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 8 (EMN): Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren distributed monetary aid worth Rs 1,10,58,858 to 91 selected beneficiaries under Manipur State Illness Assistance Fund (MSIAF) at a simple ceremony held at Durbar Hall of Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Dec. 8 Fri.
The beneficiaries were selected from among the applications received between Dec. 15, 2014 and Feb. 2015. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the government provides medical re-imbursement up to Rs. 1.5 lakh to BPL families for medical treatment under MSIAF. He said that the new government is giving prime focus towards giving proper healthcare to the masses.
Biren said that large numbers of people have been visiting him on Meeyamgi Numit and Hill Leaders’ Day seeking help in meeting their medical expenses despite the existence of this scheme.
In fact, these two days have been an eye opener for the new government as it has provided a vital information regarding the woes of the people, Biren said.
He brought to light that the government had designed a new scheme known as ‘Hakshelgi Tengbang’ for medical and health care of poor families, while adding that the scheme would provide cashless medical treatment to poor families up to defined financial ceilings.
For seven critical diseases such as cancer, neuro, kidney, heart, burns, liver and neo-natal, the scheme would provide a cashless medical cover up to Rs 2 lakh per family.
Informing that the open tender/e-tender for the new scheme had already been floated with implementing agencies being shortlisted, the chief minister mentioned that the scheme is likely to be launched in January next year.
Stating that the government had also launched another scheme known as ‘Chief Ministergi Shotharabasingi Tengbang’ on Dec. 3 Sun., the chief minister said that action would be taken against any official, who delays more than 24 hours in handing over monetary aid to the beneficiaries who had already been selected for the new scheme.
Health Minister L Jayentakumar and other officials also attended the day’s function.
