Debabrata Saikia

Guwahati: Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly Debabrata Saikia has sought a review of the guidelines for providing financial aid to patients suffering from critical illness under Suhrid scheme.

The scheme under the MLA Area Development Fund (MAAD), which is funded by the state government, provides one-time financial assistance to patients suffering from critical illnesses like cancer, heart, kidney, brain and liver-related ailments for undergoing treatment.

According to the existing guidelines, critical ailments are defined as cases wherein a patient requires hospitalisation for at least three days.

In a letter addressed to Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, Saikia requested him to make the guidelines more broad-based by including diseases like diarrhoea, diabetes, spondylosis and so on which may not always need hospitalisation, since the critical ailments mentioned in the guidelines for Suhrid are already covered under the Atal Amrit Abhiyan.

“You may be aware that certain cases like diarrhoea, diabetes, spondylosis and even road accidents require medical attention, which becomes a costly affair as a result of which some people cannot afford to undergo treatment for lack of funds,” Saikia said.

He was of the view that the guidelines should be relaxed for the greater welfare of the people of the state.

Chess meet: Guwahati Chess Association will host the 41st All Assam Inter-District Under-7, 11 (Boys’ and Girls’) and Women’s Chess Championship at South Point School indoor stadium here from March 27 to 30.

Source Telegraph India (PANKAJ SARMA)