Delhi Government relaxed Norms for Financial Assistance to Poor patients

Delhi Government on 28 August 2012 relaxed norms for providing financial assistance to poor patients suffering from life threatening diseases like kidney and liver ailments, and hiked the maximum aid to five lakh rupees from existing 2.5 lakh rupees. The decision to enhance financial assistance to poor patients was taken at a cabinet meeting presided over by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The government decided to enhance upper limit of assistance for heart diseases, cancer and kidney diseases to 5 lakh rupees or 100 per cent of the estimated cost of the treatment whichever is less. Besides, the upper limit of assistance available for disease requiring kidney transplant, bone-marrow transplant or liver transplant has been enhanced from  2.5 lakh rupees to 5 lakh rupees or 100 per cent of the estimated cost whichever is less.

The income certificate to apply under the scheme will be issued by Sub Divisional Magistrates or any other officers to be approved by the Revenue Department. In a family, husband, wife and unmarried children up to age of 21 years will be eligible to get assistance under the scheme.

The Delhi government had set up the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) in September 2011, which has so far benefitted 46 patients. A total of 41.43 lakh rupees assistance have been granted so far under the scheme.