In November 2014, the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), a promise made by the ruling Congress in its election manifesto, was formally launched. The scheme was aimed at providing cashless treatment to the people of the state by giving an amount of Rs two lakh coverage of almost all categories of diseases as specified in the empowered committee approved and notified list of diseases.

Despite several glitches and incidences where empanelled hospitals turned down patients due to non-payment of outstanding amount, the APCMUHIS has won the hearts of the poor and accolades at the national platform as a ground breaking initiative. It has been touted as former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki’s greatest achievement.

Likewise, the recently launched Chief Minister's Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme for cancer patients belonging to the indigenous population is one of the most considerate and humanitarian step taken by the present government and will be long remembered as incumbent CM Pema Khandu’s biggest social welfare contribution.

As affordability of cancer care remains a major challenge, this scheme is already benefitting cancer patients who are not able to afford chemotherapy due to its high costs. By streamlining palliative care, the state government has ensured that needy patients are not left out.

For the large majority of Arunachalese, healthcare remains a distant dream. Lack of healthcare centre within the state and high cost of treatment outside in the cities paints a grim picture. Herein lays the value and worth of the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Universal Health Insurance Scheme (APCMUHIS) and the Chief Minister's Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme.

Recently, the Pema –led BJP state government had announced its intentions of re-introducing the scheme while ironing many of its shortcomings. The attempt to restructure the people-friendly health insurance scheme, APCMUHIS for greater efficiency in reaching out to beneficiaries is the right call but it must now expedite the process and ensure its return. This is much awaited by the people of the state especially the poor.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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