Grant for Incubation Centers within Educational Institutes Scheme 2026

The Sishu Saathi scheme from West Bengal aims to provide free cardiac treatment to children aged 0 Read More... to 18 years, ensuring no out-of-pocket expenses for their medical care. Read less

Details

The Government of West Bengal has launched a life-saving initiative called 'Sishu Saathi'. This healthcare programme is all about ensuring that children needing heart surgeries get the best possible treatment without any financial worry for their families.

What Is The Sishu Saathi Scheme?

Sishu Saathi is a healthcare programme run by the Health and Family Welfare Department of the West Bengal government. It's part of a larger national mission to improve child health. The core idea is to provide free treatment to children who have heart conditions and need surgery. The scheme works with both government hospitals and selected private hospitals to make sure children get the care they require.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is a ray of hope for many families. It's designed for all children aged 0 to 18 years living anywhere in West Bengal, whether in villages or cities. The focus is on treating cardiac ailments, and importantly, there's no income limit. Any child who is diagnosed with a heart condition that needs surgery can benefit from this programme.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Heart conditions in children can be a huge financial and emotional burden on families. Sishu Saathi steps in to remove this burden. By offering free health check-ups, early detection of heart issues in schools, and completely free surgeries, the scheme ensures that children get a chance at a healthy life. This initiative reflects a commitment to the well-being of the youngest citizens of West Bengal.

Objective

The Sishu Saathi scheme from West Bengal aims to provide free cardiac treatment to children aged 0 to 18 years, ensuring no out-of-pocket expenses for their medical care.

Benefits

All educational institutes in Goa, affiliated with a recognized public university, can avail of a one-time grant of up to ₹ 10,00,000 towards capital expenses, for setting up of an incubator within their institute campuses.

The educational institutes with existing incubation facilities can also avail of the grant for capital expenses for further expansion of incubation facilities.

The maximum number of institutes to avail of this benefit cannot exceed 15 per year.

The educational institutes with existing incubation facilities will also be provided with a grant of up to ₹ 3,00,000 per year, for a period of three years, towards operational expenses.

Relaxation / Preference / PriorityThe preference will be given to well-performing applicants.NOTE 1:The institutes claiming the benefits under this scheme cannot restrict the incubation facilities only to the students of their institute.NOTE 2:Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.NOTE 3:For the purpose of determining eligible expenses towards capital expenses, Accounting Standard 102 for Fixed Assets by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India would be used.

Sources and references

Startup Goa Schemes

Eligibility Criteria

Children aged between 0 and 18 years can apply.
The scheme is open to children living in both rural and urban areas of West Bengal.
There are no income requirements, making it accessible to all children.
The child must have a diagnosed cardiac condition that requires surgery.

How To Apply

Children are identified for the scheme through health screenings conducted in schools.
They can also be referred by medical professionals from government hospitals.
For more information or to seek help, parents and guardians can contact government hospitals or empanelled private hospitals associated with the scheme.

Official Address: Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal.

Documents Required

Proof of the child's age (like a birth certificate), showing they are under 18 years old.
Medical reports or test results that confirm the heart ailment.
Identity proof for parents or guardians (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Voter ID).
Any other documents requested by the hospital or department.

FAQ’s

Can you explain what the Sishu Saathi Scheme is all about?

The Sishu Saathi Scheme is a health programme by the West Bengal Government that provides free heart surgeries and treatment to children aged 0 to 18. It doesn't matter how much money the family earns; all eligible children receive free care.

What is the main goal of the Sishu Saathi Scheme?

The main aim is to ensure that children with heart conditions or birth defects get free treatment and surgery. No child should miss out on necessary medical care simply because their family cannot afford it.

Who can get help from the Sishu Saathi Scheme?

Any child between 0 and 18 years old, living anywhere in West Bengal, whether in a city or a village, can use this scheme. There are no income limits for eligibility.

Does the scheme cover only heart problems?

While the scheme prominently covers paediatric cardiac conditions, it's also being broadened to include surgeries for other issues like congenital cataracts, cleft lips, and cleft palates.

Is there an income limit for applying to this scheme?

No, there are no income restrictions. The Sishu Saathi Scheme is open to all children, regardless of their family's financial status.

Where can children get treatment under Sishu Saathi?

Treatment is available at government hospitals and also at private hospitals that have partnered with the scheme. Some of these include BM Birla Heart Research Centre, RN Tagore Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Mission Hospital (Durgapur), and B.C. Roy Memorial Hospital for Children.

How are children found who need treatment under this scheme?

Children are often identified through health check-ups organised in schools as part of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram. Medical experts in government hospitals also refer children who need care.

Does Sishu Saathi cover the surgery and the follow-up care costs?

Yes, absolutely. The Government of West Bengal covers all the costs associated with the surgery, the hospital stay, and any necessary post-operative care.

What does the government do to find children who need this treatment?

The government actively conducts regular health screenings in schools. This helps them identify children with heart issues or other congenital problems early so they can be sent for further treatment.

Where should parents go if they want to enrol their child or need more information?

Parents or guardians can reach out to government hospitals or the private hospitals that are part of the Sishu Saathi network to get their child enrolled for free surgery.