Nagpur: Maharashtra has created multiple funding mechanisms to ensure poor patients are not denied treatment for serious illnesses because they cannot afford it, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday.He was addressing the concluding programme of the Maha Arogya Shibir organised by Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Fund (CMMAF) and Charitable Hospitals Assistance Cell at Dhanwate National College grounds.Fadnavis said the state has expanded healthcare access by increasing hospital capacity and including more critical illnesses under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. Over the past one-and-a-half years, CMMAF has provided ₹452 crore for the treatment of 57,000 patients.
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“We have introduced a digital system to ensure transparent allocation of beds reserved for poor patients in charitable hospitals. While most treatments are covered under the ₹5 lakh health insurance limit, the state provides financial assistance of up to ₹9 lakh for certain illnesses and up to ₹35 lakh for a few highly expensive medical conditions,” he said.Fadnavis also said the govt has started providing free cochlear implant surgeries for children. He announced that artificial limbs and assistive devices would be distributed to persons with disabilities on August 9.Union minister Nitin Gadkari urged the state govt to work towards reducing the cost of cancer medicines, particularly certain capsules and injections that remain beyond the reach of many patients.BJP national co-organisation general secretary Shiv Prakash said similar health camps should be organised across the country, noting that many people in rural areas still struggle to access healthcare, food and accommodation.Earlier, former MLC Sandip Joshi said 31,000 patients were screened at health camps organised across Nagpur between July 15 and 22. Around 4,500 have been identified for free surgeries, while medicines, diagnostic tests and other treatment will also be provided at no cost.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis launched an ambulance service in the presence of Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Neeta Thakre and others. Various organisations donated ambulances and extended financial assistance to Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Fund (CMMAF) and Gangadharrao Fadnavis Memorial Diagnostic Centre.The camp offered consultations by specialists in cardiology, dermatology, oncology, ophthalmology, ENT, emergency medicine and other disciplines. Thousands of patients from Nagpur city and district availed themselves of free consultations, medicines, diagnostic tests and treatment facilities.
