State to tie up with hospitals and corporates to help needy patients
healthcare access for underprivileged
patients. The
chief minister's medical assistance cell
is currently negotiating with corporate entities and hospitals to establish this tripartite funding structure.
"A portion of the patient's medical bill will be paid by a corporate house, and the state will also contribute a bit," said Rameshwar Naik, who heads the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell. The third partner would be the treating hospital itself. "We are trying to assess how much hospitals can contribute by reducing charges or providing free services," he added.
The tripartite method would ensure more patients get help. "Instead of one corporate house helping one patient, the tripartite method will ensure more patients can be assisted," said a govt official. "The chief minister has also directed that we start crowdfunding efforts for patients who need specialised treatment that runs into lakhs or crores of rupees," said Naik, who heads the state's Charity Hospital Relief Cell.
A few months back, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis linked the work of his medical assistance cell with the charity commissioner's office to ensure that economically needy patients get access to free beds and care in the various trust-run hospitals in the state.
As charity trusts get concessions from the state, their hospitals have to provide 10% of the beds free of cost to families earning less than Rs 1.8 lakh per annum; another 10% of the beds are given at a subsidised rate to families earning less than Rs 3.6 lakh per annum.
In the first six months of the year, 23,269 people were provided with Rs 149 crore in assistance by the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Fund and Charity Hospital Relief Cell. The state is the first to receive Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of Maharashtra, enabling it to receive foreign donations for "social" programmes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
EQT-backed Indira IVF refiles DRHP through Sebi's confidential route
Udaipur-headquartered fertility firm Indira IVF, owned by global investment company EQT, has refiled its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) through market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)'s confidential pre-filing route. 'The filing of the pre-filed DRHP shall not necessarily mean that the company will undertake the initial public offering (IPO),' the company said in a public announcement. According to people in the know, the company will be looking to repeat its Rs 3,500 crore IPO. The company had initially submitted a draft prospectus in February but withdrew it later, as the IPO plans coincided with the release of a Bollywood biopic based on the company's founder, drawing concerns from Sebi. This development comes amid growing investor interest in the Indian assisted reproductive technology (ART) sector, buoyed by increasing awareness, expanding market size, and favourable demographics. Founded by Ajay Murdia in 1988, Indira IVF is the market leader in assisted reproductive technology services in India and completes roughly 40,000 IVF cycles annually. It also ranks among the top five players globally. Indira IVF's decision to pursue the confidential filing route comes at a time when the method is increasingly popular among startups. The confidential filing route, introduced in 2022, enables companies to withhold sensitive information from the public domain until they are ready to proceed with their IPO. This approach helps issuers avoid unwarranted public scrutiny and opportunistic litigation. In April 2024, food delivery giant Swiggy also opted for the pre-filing route for its IPO. To date, only Swiggy and Vishal Mega Mart have successfully gone public after making confidential filings. Meesho, for instance, filed for a Rs 4,250 crore IPO via the confidential route earlier this month. Tata Play was the first company to utilise this route, though it eventually scrapped its IPO plans. According to sources, Gaudium IVF and Women Health, another prominent player in the fertility care space, is also preparing to refile its DRHP in the immediate future. India completes around 300,000 IVF cycles annually, with the number of cycles expected to grow around 15 per cent at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next decade. This trend is supported by rising awareness about infertility treatments, a growing middle class, declining fertility rates, and increasing marriage age.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Euthanasia For Animals With Incurable Diseases: Kerala Announces Plan To Tackle Stray Dog Menace
Last Updated: Kerala government has announced it will invoke Section 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules, 2023, which allows for euthanasia of animals under specific circumstances. In a decisive move to address the growing menace of stray dogs, the Kerala government has announced that it will invoke Section 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Animal Husbandry Practices and Procedures) Rules, 2023, which allows for euthanasia of animals under specific circumstances. The decision was made during a joint meeting involving the Local Self Government Department (LSGD), Animal Husbandry, and Law Departments. Local Self Government Minister MB Rajesh clarified that the state will strictly follow the legal provisions laid out in the 2023 rules. As per Section 8, euthanasia can be administered to animals that are either mortally wounded or suffering from incurable diseases, provided a certified veterinary practitioner confirms the condition and written consent is obtained from the animal's owner or custodian. The rule is primarily intended to curb the spread of diseases and relieve animals from prolonged suffering. One of the key challenges identified in addressing the stray dog crisis is public opposition to Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres. To combat this, the state has decided to take legal action against individuals or groups disrupting the functioning of these centres. Minister Rajesh stated that local bodies can file complaints with the police, and criminal cases will be registered against those who interfere. To improve the reach and efficiency of sterilisation efforts, the state will roll out 152 portable ABC units at the block level. Each unit, costing Rs 28 lakh, will be procured by local self-government bodies. The Animal Husbandry Department has already placed an order for a pilot mobile ABC centre, which is expected to be operational within 120 days. Local bodies are tasked with identifying suitable sites for deployment in the meantime. Kerala Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchurani expressed optimism that the mobility of these new units may reduce public resistance. She also announced a month-long vaccination campaign for stray dogs to be launched in August, followed by a similar drive for pet dogs in September. These campaigns will be carried out jointly by the LSGD and Animal Husbandry departments. To ensure smooth implementation, all-party committees will be formed at the local level. The coordinated approach reflects Kerala's commitment to managing the stray dog issue through a mix of legal provisions, community engagement, and enhanced veterinary infrastructure. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 17:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Departmental inquiry ordered against nine BBMP health officials over alleged Covid bills irregularities
BENGALURU: A departmental investigation has been suggested against nine officials in connection with the alleged irregularities in Covid-related payments and bills in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) during the previous BJP government, the retired Justice Michael D. Cunha committee has recommended. A notice was issued to 28 officers of the corporation due to 'doubts' in the purchase of medicines and medical supplies during the COVID period. It was directed that notices be given to the corporation's engineers, doctors, and officers of the accounts department to provide explanations. After receiving the notices, 28 officials responded with documents. Following verification of the officers' replies, 19 were given a clean chit. However, the department ordered an investigation of the remaining nine officers by BBMP health officials. 'These are officials in the BBMP health department who failed to give clarity over expenses and bills, and hence the matter was escalated to the BBMP Administration Department for a departmental inquiry. If these officials fail to clarify the doubts during the probe by the administration department, action will be initiated,' said Sirajuddin Madani, Chief Health Officer. Notices have also been issued to 15 private companies that supplied materials during the COVID period. The committee has suggested the recovery of Rs 13 crore paid to these 15 private companies as excess. This is not the first time BBMP health officials have landed in controversy. Earlier, Dr Kalpana, Deputy Health Officer in BBMP South Zone, was placed under suspension over approving an inflated bill of Rs 9.72 crore instead of the actual amount of Rs 2.27 crore. The amount was paid to contractors engaged in supplying food to the Indira Canteen. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Officers and Employees Association President, Amruth Raj, stated that it is time the black sheep in BBMP are shunted out. 'The officials involved in COVID and other scams in the BBMP—those involved in dereliction of duty—should be suspended and jailed to keep the BBMP clean,' said Amruth Raj.
