MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has decided to establish Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) cells at the taluka level in drought-affected areas to ensure that needy patients receive timely medical treatment. Dedicated medical officers will be appointed to head these cells while healthcare services in drought-hit talukas will be strengthened through better coordination and monitoring.
Health coordination committees will also be established at both district and taluka levels. The head of each cell has also been given the responsibility of identifying needy patients through sub-district and rural hospitals, primary healthcare centres, sub-centres and ASHA workers. The government will seek support from healthcare experts associated with the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, IMA, Maharashtra Medical Council, local medical associations and private hospitals. “Coordination will be established between the benefits available under various healthcare schemes and assistance from the CMRF wherever necessary.
On November 6, the general administration department issued a government resolution approving the extension of the assistance mechanism to the taluka level. Officials said that the cell would be responsible for ensuring that no patient was deprived of medical treatment due to a lack of access to assistance. The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure that no needy patient is deprived of medical treatment due to financial difficulties.”
Dr Rameshwar Naik, who heads the Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Cell, said that CM Devendra Fadnavis had taken the decision to give residents of these areas easier access to financial assistance and medical treatment. Officials said that health camps would also be organised in drought-affected areas to provide medicines, consultations and medical treatment. Dr Naik said the decision was taken to make the CMRF mechanism more accessible and people-oriented. “With the establishment of cells at the taluka level, needy patients in drought-affected areas will be identified in a timely manner, making it possible to ensure that they receive appropriate medical treatment and financial assistance,” he said.
Under the new mechanism, patients will first be guided towards treatment under existing healthcare schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, labour department schemes and treatment facilities at charitable hospitals depending on their eligibility. Applications of patients who are not covered under these schemes will be submitted online for approval through affiliated hospitals. The taluka-level cells are supposed to guide patients through all the application and approval processes.
