Rastriya Arogya Nidhi - Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund

Description
Started in 2009, the scheme-component “Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund HMCPF under the "Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi RAN ” implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, aims to provide financial assistance to Below Poverty Line cancer patients through support up to ₹2,00,000/- ₹5,00,000/- in emergencies at Regional Cancer Centres.

Exclusions
• Central Govt./State Govt. /PSU employees are not eligible for financial assistance from the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF).
• Grant from HMCPF would not be used where treatment /facilities for cancer treatment are available free of cost.

Definitions
Regional Cancer Center
1 Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
2 Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
3 Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, Karnataka.
4 Regional Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
5 Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer, Centre for Cancer Research & Treatment, Cuttack, Orissa.
6 Regional Cancer Control Society, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
7 Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
8 Indian Rotary Cancer Institute, (AIIMS), New Delhi.
9 R.S.T. Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra.
10 Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhatisgarh.
11 Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
12 Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar.
13 Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Manipur, Imphal.
14 Govt. Medical College & Associated Hospital, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu.
15 Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
16 Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmadabad, Gujarat.
17 MNJ Institute of Oncology, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
18 Pondicherry Regional Cancer Society, JIPMER, Pondicherry.
19 Dr. B.B. Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam.
20 Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
21 Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar.
22 Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Trust & Research Institute (RCC), Bikaner, Rajasthan
23 Regional Cancer Centre, Pt. B.D.Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana.
24 Civil Hospital, Aizawl, Mizoram.
25 Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.
26 Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Kancheepuram,Tamil Nadu.
27 Cancer Hospital, Tripura, Agartala.
(Source: https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/RAN_Guideline_2019_0.pdf)

Benefits
• Financial Assistance: Up to ₹2,00,000 per patient; up to ₹5,00,000 in emergency cases.
• Individual cases, which require assistance of more than ₹5,00,000/- will be sent to the Ministry for processing.
• The maximum financial assistance admissible under the Scheme will be ₹15,00,000/-
• List of the treatments under this scheme -
• Radiation treatment of all kinds, including Radio Therapy and Gama Knife Surgery/GRT/MRT/Brachytherapy.
• Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy with supportive medication, including hormonal therapy.
• Bone Marrow Transplantation- Allogenic& Autologous
• Diagnostic Procedures- including PET scan.
• Surgery for operable malignant tumours.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant must be living Below Poverty Line.
2. - The applicant must be suffering from cancer.
3. > **List of 27 Regional Cancer Centre(s):**
4. Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
5. Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal.
6. Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, Karnataka.
7. Regional Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
8. Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre for Cancer Research & Treatment, Cuttack, Orissa.
9. Regional Cancer Control Society, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
10. Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
11. Indian Rotary Cancer Institute (AIIMS), New Delhi.
12. R.S.T. Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra.
13. Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
14. Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
15. Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar.
16. Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur.
17. Government Medical College & Associated Hospital, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu.
18. Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
19. Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
20. MNJ Institute of Oncology, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
21. Pondicherry Regional Cancer Society, JIPMER, Puducherry.
22. Dr. B.B. Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam.
23. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
24. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar.
25. Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Trust & Research Institute (RCC), Bikaner, Rajasthan.
26. Regional Cancer Centre, Pt. B.D. Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana.
27. Civil Hospital, Aizawl, Mizoram.
28. Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
29. Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.
30. Cancer Hospital, Agartala, Tripura.
31. <br>

Required Documents
• Application form in prescribed proforma duly signed by the treating doctor and countersigned by the Medical Superintendent of the Government hospital/institute.
• Monthly income of the patient/parents duly certified by the Block/Mandal Development Officer/ Tehsildar/ SDM/ Special Officer of Municipal Board/ District Officer, certifying that the beneficiary belongs to a family living below poverty line in the area of their jurisdiction indicating source of income . The original certificate is required for the purpose.
• Copy of the Ration Card duly attested by a Gazetted Officer with official seal.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the "Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund" scheme-component?
A: The scheme-component aims to provide financial assistance to Below Poverty Line cancer patients for treatment.
<br>

Q: Who can apply for this scheme?
A: Patients living Below Poverty Line and suffering from cancer can apply.
<br>

Q: What is the maximum financial assistance available?
A: The applicant can receive up to ₹2,00,000/-, or ₹5,00,000/- in emergency cases. Maximum financial assistance admissible under the Scheme will be ₹15,00,000/-.
<br>

Q: Where can the treatment be taken under this scheme?
A: The treatment must be taken at designated Regional Cancer Centres.
<br>

Q: Are government employees eligible for this scheme?
A: Government and PSU employees are not eligible for assistance.
<br>

Q: What happens if treatment cost exceeds ₹2,00,000?
A: Such cases are forwarded to the Ministry for further approval.
<br>

Q: How is the assistance provided?
A: The assistance is provided through Regional Cancer Centres using revolving funds.
<br>

Q: What is a revolving fund in this scheme?
A: It is a pre-allocated fund at RCCs to ensure quick disbursement of assistance.
<br>

Q: Is emergency assistance available under this scheme?
A: Yes, emergency cases can receive up to ₹5,00,000.
<br>

Q: Can assistance be used if treatment is free elsewhere?
A: No, assistance is not provided if treatment is available free of cost.
<br>

Q: How many RCCs are covered under the scheme?
A: The scheme covers 27 Regional Cancer Centres.
<br>

Q: How long does it take to receive assistance?
A: Assistance is processed quickly at RCC level due to revolving funds.
<br>

Q: Is there any income criteria for eligibility?
A: Yes, the applicant must belong to the Below Poverty Line category.
<br>

Q: Who processes the application?
A: The Regional Cancer Centre processes applications up to ₹2,00,000, while higher amounts are processed by the Ministry.
<br>