Context:
Recently, the Delhi High Court instituted a case with respect to the grant of financial assistance under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme and said threshold income to claim benefit was prima facie “extremely low”.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Intervention
Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi Scheme Overview
- Establishment and Nature
- Established in 1997.
- A central sector scheme.
Objective
- Provides one-time financial assistance to poor patients.
- Targets those living below the State/UT-wise threshold poverty line.
- Aims to assist patients suffering from life-threatening diseases such as heart, kidney, liver, cancer, etc.
- Offers treatment at Super Specialty Government hospitals/institutes.
Components of the Umbrella Scheme
Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)
- Purpose: Financial assistance for the treatment of life-threatening diseases like heart, kidney, liver, etc.
- Facilities: Available at Government hospitals/institutes with Super Specialty facilities.
- Maximum Assistance: ₹15 lakhs.
Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF)
- Purpose: Financial assistance specifically for the treatment of cancer.
- Facilities: Available at Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs), Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs), and State Cancer Institutes (SCIs).
- Maximum Assistance: ₹15 lakhs.
Financial Assistance for Rare Diseases
- Purpose: Financial assistance for the treatment of specified rare diseases.
- Facilities: Available at Government hospitals/institutes with Super Specialty facilities.
- Maximum Assistance: ₹20 lakhs.
