Niramaya health insurance restored
The Minister, in a statement on Tuesday, said the order to this effect had been issued. An amount of ₹75 lakh had been sanctioned to restart the scheme. Niramaya is a comprehensive insurance scheme for four categories of disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and multiple disability.
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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
HC lens on lack of essential medicines at SCB's Niramaya centres
Cuttack: Orissa high court has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting the alleged unavailability of essential medicines under the Niramaya scheme at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and directed that doctors must prescribe generic medicines on official prescription pads. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The division bench comprising Justices S K Sahoo and V Narasingh in its order on Friday observed that poor patients are being forced to purchase costly medicines from private shops due to systemic lapses after the report published in a local daily pointed out that most essential drugs are not available at the Niramaya centre in SCB. "Patients are being made to wait for hours and are ultimately forced to buy medicines from outside. In many cases, they simply cannot afford to do so," the bench noted in its order. The Niramaya scheme is the state's free drug distribution programme aimed at ensuring availability of essential medicines in govt hospitals. The court also expressed concern over the practice of doctors prescribing medicines on plain paper, instead of the hospital's official pads. "This makes it harder for patients to claim medicines under the scheme," the bench said. Appearing before the bench in virtual mode, SCB superintendent Dr Goutam Satapathy submitted a detailed status report. He stated that since the scheme's launch on May 1, 2015, 329 types of medicines are being distributed free of cost at six Niramaya counters in SCB, with two more counters — one each at surgery and orthopaedics OPD — in the pipeline. Satapathy said that while the Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd (OSMC) is the main supplier, some medicines may go out of stock due to high demand. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Such shortages are temporary and replenishments are made at the earliest," he said, adding that medicines not available with OSMC are sourced through empanelled shops under the local and bulk purchase schemes for indoor patients. He further informed the court that the ongoing SCB redevelopment project includes plans for a fully automated drug distribution system using computerised barcoded pneumatic mechanisms. To improve transparency and reduce patient inconvenience, Satapathy assured the court that digital display boards will be installed at each Niramaya centre to show the real-time availability of medicines alphabetically. "Unavailable medicines will also be marked clearly so that patients do not wait in vain," he added. However, the bench directed further hearing on the matter on Sept 4.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- The Hindu
Services under ‘Snehagramam' project for endosulfan victims enter second phase
The Social Justice department's flagship rehabilitation initiative for endosulfan victims, 'Saha Jeevanam Snehagramam', is gaining momentum with the second phase currently under way. The project aims to bring all essential services, treatment, therapy, accommodation, employment, and skill training under one roof for the comprehensive development of the victims. Snehagramam is being developed on 25 acres provided by the Planatation Corporation as compensation in Muliyar grama panchayat. The first phase, launched on February 29 last year by Higher Education and Social Justice Minister R. Bindu, saw the completion of blocks for consulting, hydrotherapy, and clinical psychology. The second phase, part of the Kasaragod Development Package, will expand services further with the addition of job training and accommodation facilities. C.H. Kunhambu, MLA, has allocated ₹25 lakh from the Asset Development Fund to address transportation issues faced by beneficiaries visiting the centre for treatment. Despite infrastructure to support 30 individuals, the Centre currently sees a footfall of up to 55 beneficiaries each day. So far, 219 differently abled individuals have undergone treatment, with 195 referred for further care. Of them, 153 received follow-up treatment at the Centre, and 26 were discharged after recovery. At present, 86 victims continue to receive regular services under the project. The initiative focuses on early identification of disabilities, specialised therapies, appointment of special educators and social workers, and long-term support through education, employment, and rehabilitation.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- The Hindu
Niramaya health insurance restored
The Niramaya insurance scheme for the differently abled has been restored, Minister for Social Justice R. Bindu has said. The Minister, in a statement on Tuesday, said the order to this effect had been issued. An amount of ₹75 lakh had been sanctioned to restart the scheme. Niramaya is a comprehensive insurance scheme for four categories of disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and multiple disability.
