4 Government Initiatives In West Bengal for Covering the Cost of Cancer Treatment

The government offers various programs to cover cancer treatment costs and help ease the financial burden of fighting an illness.

Published on: 2 February, 2023

A cancer diagnosis can be a shocking and frightening experience, and the associated financial strain can add significantly to the psychological stress of an uncertain future. Fortunately, the government offers various programs to help offset the costs of medical treatment for those facing financial hardship.

Here are 4 government schemes offered by the state of West Bengal to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:

1. Free Cancer Treatment In State-Run Hospitals

The West Bengal Government offers free treatment for cancer patients in every government medical institution within the state. This service, furnished by the State Health Department and rendered to every citizen in the state, provides access to beds, cancer medicine, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical procedures for all types of cancer - free of cost.

2. Swasthya Sathi Scheme

An entirely state-funded scheme, every resident of the state, i.e every family and every citizen, irrespective of age, is entitled to receive a basic health cover for tertiary and secondary healthcare in any of the 1,500 enlisted hospitals.

The scheme is completely cashless, paperless, smart card-based and run on an IT platform
The scheme can also be accessed through its mobile application
Patients are entitled to receive annual coverage of up to ₹5 lakhs on a family-floater basis, with no capping on family size
Every beneficiary family is provided with an online Swasthya Sathi smart card on the day of enrolment, which will be utilised to avail benefits under this scheme
All pre-existing diseases of the patient are covered
The premium is borne by the State Government
Patient can claim transport allowance of ₹200
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under Swasthya Sathi Scheme if:
- They are already insured under any other government-sponsored health scheme
- They receive medical allowance in their salary

Read more about Swasthya Sathi Scheme, here.

3. Financial Assistance To The Workers For Critical Disease

The Labour Welfare Board of the Government of West Bengal provides financial assistance to construction labourers for the treatment of critical diseases like cancer, heart disease, renal disease etc.

The applicant has to be a resident of West Bengal and registered with the state’s labour welfare board
The patient and their family members are entitled to receive ₹15,000 as subsidy

To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form,Aadhar card/voter ID/birth certificate, construction labour card, medical estimation letter and proof of residence

Read more about Financial Assistance to the Workers for Critical Disease, here.

4. Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, West Bengal (CMNRF)

The CMRF, West Bengal, grants financial assistance to distressed patients, with an annual income of less than ₹1,20,000, undergoing treatment in government or non-government hospitals.

The patient has to be a permanent resident of West Bengal
Patient can avail financial assistance under this scheme only once in a financial year
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, monthly family income certificate issued by DM/ SDO/ BDO /Jt BDO/ Executive Officer in case of Municipality / Deputy Commissioner of Corporation, certificate regarding availability/non-availability of financial assistance, recommendation from an MP/MLA, original final hospital bill, discharge summary or estimation summary and contact details with mobile number
Photocopies of all the documents are required to be attested by a Group-A Government Officer
Application should be sent to:

The Assistant Secretary,

Chief Minister’s Office,

'Nabanna'

325, Sarat Chatterjee Road
Howrah - 711 102

A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under CMNRF, West Bengal, if:

- They are insured under Employee State Insurance Scheme
- They are covered under the health insurance schemes of their employers

Read more about CMRF, West Bengal, here.

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating, and the associated financial strain of medical treatments can add to the psychological stress. Thankfully, the government has programs to help offset some of the costs associated with medical treatment and provide peace of mind during this difficult time.

Here are 4 government schemes offered by the state of West Bengal to provide treatment aid to cancer patients:

1. Free Cancer Treatment In State-Run Hospitals

2. Swasthya Sathi Scheme

The scheme is completely cashless, paperless, smart card-based and run on an IT platform
The scheme can also be accessed through its mobile application
Patients are entitled to receive annual coverage of up to ₹5 lakhs on a family-floater basis, with no capping on family size
Every beneficiary family is provided with an online Swasthya Sathi smart card on the day of enrolment, which will be utilised to avail benefits under this scheme
All pre-existing diseases of the patient are covered
The premium is borne by the State Government
Patient can claim transport allowance of ₹200
A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under Swasthya Sathi Scheme if:
- They are already insured under any other government-sponsored health scheme
- They receive medical allowance in their salary

Read more about Swasthya Sathi Scheme, here.

3. Financial Assistance To The Workers For Critical Disease

The applicant has to be a resident of West Bengal and registered with the state’s labour welfare board
The patient and their family members are entitled to receive ₹15,000 as subsidy

To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form,Aadhar card/voter ID/birth certificate, construction labour card, medical estimation letter and proof of residence

Read more about Financial Assistance to the Workers for Critical Disease, here.

4. Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, West Bengal (CMNRF)

The CMRF, West Bengal, grants financial assistance to distressed patients, with an annual income of less than ₹1,20,000, undergoing treatment in government or non-government hospitals.

The patient has to be a permanent resident of West Bengal
Patient can avail financial assistance under this scheme only once in a financial year
To apply, the applicant will be required to produce a duly completed and signed application form, monthly family income certificate issued by DM/ SDO/ BDO /Jt BDO/ Executive Officer in case of Municipality / Deputy Commissioner of Corporation, certificate regarding availability/non-availability of financial assistance, recommendation from an MP/MLA, original final hospital bill, discharge summary or estimation summary and contact details with mobile number
Photocopies of all the documents are required to be attested by a Group-A Government Officer
Application should be sent to:

The Assistant Secretary,

Chief Minister’s Office,

'Nabanna'

325, Sarat Chatterjee Road
Howrah - 711 102

A patient is not eligible for financial assistance under CMNRF, West Bengal, if:

- They are insured under Employee State Insurance Scheme
- They are covered under the health insurance schemes of their employers

Read more about CMRF, West Bengal, here.

If you find that you are not eligible to benefit from any of the above mentioned schemes, medical crowdfunding is also an option that is available to you. In times of need, support means everything, and with Milaap, you need not look any further. Milaap enables you to set up a fundraiser for any medical emergency within minutes, and you can easily raise funds for treatment expenses.

Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand. Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.

For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.

Do you know someone who could benefit from fundraising? Simply refer them to us and we’ll be happy to lend a hand.

Visit www.milaap.org or call us on +91 9916174848 to get started now.

For more information, write to us at cx@milaap.org.