Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) Scheme: Financial assistance for cancer treatment. Application process, eligibility, and available benefits under this scheme.

The Government implements the ‘Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi’ scheme through the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund. Introduced in 2009, this scheme aims to offer financial aid for cancer treatment to underprivileged individuals. Many cancer patients are unable to afford treatment, leading to neglect of their condition. In order to support these disadvantaged cancer victims, the central government has established the ‘National Health Fund’ scheme, providing ₹ 15 lakh for their medical expenses. Additionally, 27 Regional Cancer Centers have been established nationwide to offer medical assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals living below the poverty line.

Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi: Cancer treatment is uncommon due to its high cost, limiting access for the financially disadvantaged. To address this, the central government offers ₹ 15 lakh from the ‘National Health Fund’ scheme to support poor cancer victims. Unfortunately, inadequate awareness and publicity about this scheme prevent many poverty-stricken individuals struggling with cancer from benefiting. Over the past four years, Andhra Pradesh had 97 beneficiaries, while Telangana had none.

Benefits of Rastriya Arogya Nidhi 

The scheme offers financial assistance of ₹ 2,00,000/- (two lakh rupees) for treatment purposes. It’s important to note that cases requiring assistance exceeding this amount will be forwarded to the Ministry for further consideration.

Eligibility For Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi 

• The Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) within RAN provides financial assistance to cancer patients living below the poverty line.
• Assistance is applicable only for treatment in 27 Regional Cancer Centers (RCC).
• Employees of Central Govt./State Govt./PSUs are ineligible for financial assistance from HMCPF.
• The HMCPF grant will not be utilised if cancer treatment facilities are available free of cost.

Exclusions 

• Financial assistance from the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) is not available for employees of Central Govt./State Govt./PSUs.
• The HMCPF grant will not be utilised if free cancer treatment or facilities are already accessible.

How to Apply for Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi Scheme

• To apply, the application must be accompanied by a recommendation from the Medical Officer at the Regional Cancer Centre.
• Upon eligibility verification, the Central Health Department will deposit ₹ 15 Lakhs in a single transaction.
• This scheme is applicable only for current cancer treatment; it does not cover past treatments.
• The scheme is not applicable if the individual is already covered by health insurance schemes under the Ayushman Bharat scheme run by the central government.
• Telugu States have only one Regional Cancer Center, located in Hyderabad.
• Download the application form from the mohfw.gov.in website and complete it in full.
• The form must be signed and stamped by the Hospital Superintendent or the medical officer treating the cancer patient.
• Submit the application by post to the Section Officer, Grants Section, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Room No. 541, A-Wing, Nariman Bhavan, New Delhi.

Documents Required for Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi

To be eligible for financial assistance under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme, the patient needs to provide the following documents:

• Application form, filled in the prescribed format, signed by the treating doctor and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the Government hospital/institute.
• Monthly income certification of the patient/parents, duly attested by the Block/Mandal Development Officer/Tehsildar/SDM/Special Officer of Municipal Board/District Officer. The certification should confirm that the beneficiary belongs to a family living below the poverty line within their jurisdiction and indicate the source of income. The original certificate is required for verification purposes.
• Copy of the Ration Card, attested by a Gazetted Officer with an official seal.

How to Avail Benefits Under the Health Minister Cancer Patient Fund

To access financial assistance under HMCPF, the patient needs to provide the following documents:

• Completed application form in the prescribed format, signed by the treating doctor and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the Government hospital/institute/Regional Cancer Centre.
• Copy of the income certificate.
• Copy of the ration card.
• Revolving Funds are available in 27 RCCs, with funds up to 50 lakhs allocated for treatment up to ₹ 2 lakh per case.
• Cases requiring treatment exceeding 2 lakh are referred to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, for funding.

Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi | State Health Fund

• The Government implements the ‘Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi’ scheme through the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund.
• The central government introduced this scheme in 2009 to provide financial assistance for cancer treatment among the poor.
• The State Health Fund operates under the supervision of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• 27 Regional Cancer Centers have been established to offer medical aid for cancer treatment to impoverished individuals below the poverty line.
• Initially, cancer victims receive financial assistance of ₹ 2 lakhs. Additional funding can be sought through the ‘National Health Fund’.
• Based on eligibility and need, the government may provide a maximum of ₹ 15 lakhs, which must be exclusively used for cancer treatment.

List of the Treatments Under this Scheme

Under the scheme, the government provides financial assistance of ₹ 2,00,000/- (two lakhs rupees) for treatment, which can be utilised for the following treatments:

• Anti-cancer chemotherapy
• All types of radiation treatment, including Radiotherapy and Gamma Knife Surgery/GRT/MRT/Brachytherapy
• Bone Marrow Transplantation – Allogeneic & Autologous
• Diagnostic procedures, including PET scan
• Surgery for operable malignant tumours

Get details about the ‘Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi’ scheme, providing financial assistance for cancer treatment to the poor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether Central /State Government /PSU Employees are Eligible for Financial Assistance?

No, they are not eligible.

No, they are not eligible. Whether re-imbursement of medical expenditure already incurred is permissible?

For eligible cancer patients who have applied for financial assistance under RAN, medical treatment or operations undertaken during the period between the submission of the complete application form and the communication of sanction for financial assistance are permissible within the approved limit. The patient can be reimbursed for the medical expenses already paid to the hospital/institute, as long as they fall within the sanctioned limit. However, reimbursement for medical expenditures incurred prior to the receipt of the complete application form for financial assistance under RAN is not permissible.

What is the Time Limit Set by the Grants Section to Process the Request of the Applicant for Financial Limit?

The application, when fully completed, is processed within a one-month timeframe.

Whether the Grants are Released in the Name of the Patients?

The grants are disbursed to the Medical Superintendent of the hospital where the patient is receiving treatment.

How Much Assistance is Given to Each Patient Suffering from Cancer?

There is no set maximum limit for obtaining financial assistance for cancer patients. However, a Technical Committee has been established to review each case and determine the appropriate amount of financial assistance to be provided.