Assistance of Rs 800,000 for Treatment Abroad

It was after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and various hospitals in India that these patients can go for treatment. These hospitals are VIMHANS New Delhi, Apollo Hospital Chennai, Bangalore Manipal Heart Foundation and Medical Research Foundation, Chennai.

This grant was mentioned in the last budget. It is intended for patients who need to go abroad for treatment, but do not have enough resources. In this context, the Ministry of Finance wishes to remind that this grant is for those with less than Rs 50,000 income.

Note that last year, more than 150 patients were referred for eye treatments, cardiac, neuro-surgical or other requiring intervention abroad. Financial assistance is given to a patient, following an investigation by the Ministry of Social Security that checks if the patient does not really have the means to fund treatment abroad.

A medical committee comprising a regional health director as chairman and two doctors of government must also ensure that the treatment is not available locally and treatment abroad will be beneficial for the patient.

In addition, the patient or family should take all steps to the admission of the patient in a health facility abroad, booking airline tickets, passport and visa. The Ministry of Health wishes to clarify that provides financial assistance and is not responsible for these processes.