Nitish announces special financial help to cancer patients

Patna, Nov 12 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced special financial help for the cancer patients and assured to provide health insurance cover for them.

After inaugurating a national conference on 'Economising Cancer Care' organised by the Cancer Care India (CCI) and Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Mr Kumar admitted the general health policy was ineffective for treatment of cancer patients.

He said keeping in mind the expenditure incurred due to cancer treatment, the health department had been directed to prepare a special scheme for providing financial help to people suffering from cancer.

He said the health department had been asked to simplify the process and release the fund within a week to the cancer patients.

Referring to the patients visiting Janata Darbar, he said the majority of them are suffering from cancer.

The CM also announced to provide government aid to the people having Rs one lakh annual income. Mukhyamantri Chikitsa Sahaayta Kosh(Treatment fun) had been established and instead of the bureaucrats of the department, the officials belonging to health sector had been entrusted with the responsibility for providing financial help to the needy patients.

Mr Kumar assured to consider the recomendations made during the conference for insurance cover, aid for treatment and others. He said health and education was at the top of the agenda of the government as it were the two pillars important for an over all development of the society.

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