Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh cabinet, chaired by CM Pema Khandu, on Friday approved a slew of healthcare and social welfare measures, aimed at widening access to affordable medical treatment, strengthening preventive care and tackling drug abuse.The cabinet approved CM CARES — Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Action for Resilient, Equitable & Healthy State — as an umbrella programme to bring greater convergence between health and social security schemes.Under the revised health coverage, the cabinet approved an additional Rs 2.5 lakh each for critical organ transplant procedures, including renal, liver and bone marrow transplants, over and above existing limits under CMAAY. The state health plan will also cover advanced procedures such as cochlear implants and corneal transplants.The cabinet also cleared a preventive health framework called HEAL, which will focus on wellness incentives and early screening for childhood developmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder.In another key decision, the government approved Mission SURAKSHA — State Unified Response Against Drugs, Substance Harm & Addiction — to strengthen action against drug trafficking and improve rehabilitation support.The cabinet said substance abuse was increasingly linked to youth mental health, community safety and HIV transmission, requiring a coordinated response.To improve last-mile healthcare delivery in remote and hilly areas, the cabinet approved Ayushman Aarogya Shivir, a 30-day statewide campaign of integrated health camps.The cabinet also decided to urge MLAs, panchayat bodies and municipal representatives to adopt tuberculosis patients in their areas under the national Ni-kshay Mitra initiative to ensure treatment monitoring and support.
