07 September 2010
By Sumeer
The state Health Department has launched a scheme under which cash of Rs one lakh will be given to poor people going for kidney transplantation
Guwahati: Poor people suffering from kidney ailments in Assam will get helping hands from the government. The state Health Department has launched a scheme under which cash of Rs one lakh will be given to poor people going for kidney transplantations.
The scheme titled "Susrusha" (means care in Assamese) has already been launched and nine kidney patients suffering from kidney ailments were handed over the money by state Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma.
Another 932 patients have been identified and would be provided the benefit under the scheme in the current year.
Sharma said, "This is a very important scheme launched keeping in mind the problem being faced by poor people suffering from kidney ailments. As kidney treatment is very expensive and many people struggle to manage the money, we decided to extend helping hands to them."
The scheme has come as succour as Assam is witnessing increase in kidney patients and the state lacking in sufficient facilities for kidney treatment. Many patients have to visit South Indian states for kidney transplantation and treatment in private hospitals and have shell huge amount of money.
Doctors at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), here said a kidney transplantation needs requires more than 3–4 lakhs and many poor patients often have to suffer as they could not afford to bear the treatment.
A state government official said the department every year would identify the kidney patients and try to provide benefit of the scheme. All district health officials have been asked to identify the kidney patients, particularly belonging to rural areas to include them under the scheme.
"Susrusha" is another innovative scheme launched by Assam government which has become the first state in the country to declared health care as a right of its citizens.
The state health department have already launched several new schemes for children, pregnant women and aged to provide succour to poor people.
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