New health scheme for the poor launched in Tripura

The Left Front government in Tripura Wednesday launched a new health scheme to provide financial aid to poor families for treatment of seven critical diseases, including cancer.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar launched the "Tripura Health Assurance Scheme for Poor (THASP)" at a function here.

"Under the THASP, financial assistance up to Rs.125,000 would be provided to those families whose annual income is up to Rs 150,000," Tripura Health Minister Badal Choudhury said.

"Under the new scheme, the financial assistance would be granted for the treatment of seven dreaded diseases. The diseases are cancer, cardiovascular surgeries, neurosurgeries, renal failure, neo-natal diseases, poly trauma and eye surgeries," said Choudhury, who also holds the PWD and revenue departments.

The THASP is likely to benefit around 3,000 patients per year for which the government will spend Rs 37.50 crore annually.

The minister said that the treatment and surgeries under the scheme will be allowed only in the Tripura government empanelled private and government hospitals in Agartala, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati and New Delhi.