Sri Vijaya Puram, July 15: The Directorate of Tribal Welfare is implementing the A&N Islands Scheme for Providing Financial Assistance to Tribal Patients for Medical Treatment to provide financial support to Nicobari ST patients suffering from serious illnesses and requiring treatment at recognized hospitals in the mainland. Under the scheme, eligible Nicobari ST patients who are referred by the Directorate of Health Services for specialized treatment outside the Islands are provided one-time financial assistance to meet the cost of treatment.
The scheme covers patients suffering from serious diseases such as heart ailments, kidney diseases, cancer, and other major illnesses requiring specialized medical care in mainland hospitals. The financial assistance includes expenditure towards medical investigation, treatment, medicines, and transportation. The mode of travel, whether by ship or air, will be decided based on the recommendation of the Directorate of Health Services, taking into account the seriousness of the disease and the medical condition of the patient.
Under the scheme, 90% of the estimated cost of treatment and transportation is released as advance financial assistance. The remaining 10% is released after completion of the treatment upon submission of the prescribed documents, including supporting bills and vouchers.
Financial assistance under the scheme is sanctioned by the Secretary (Tribal Welfare), A&N Administration, based on the recommendation of the Director of Health Services, A&N Administration.
Eligible Nicobari ST beneficiaries who wish to avail the benefits of the scheme may contact the Directorate of Tribal Welfare, Secretariat Complex, for further information and assistance in submitting their applications.
The Directorate of Tribal Welfare has requested all eligible beneficiaries to make use of this welfare scheme to access timely and quality medical treatment.