Written by:
Aathira Ayyappan
Travel Concessions for Cancer Patients in India (Rail & Air Guide)
Travelling With Ease: Discounts And Concessions For Cancer Patients In India
Travelling can be a daunting task for cancer patients, especially when they have to travel long distances for treatment or medical check-ups. However, there are several discounts and concessions available for cancer patients in India that can make their travel easier and more affordable.
Travelling can be a daunting task for cancer patients, especially when they have to travel long distances for treatment or medical check-ups. However, there are several discounts and concessions available for cancer patients in India that can make their travel easier and more affordable.
Published on: 10 February, 2023
Published on: 10 February, 2023
Battling cancer, one of the deadliest conditions known to man, is a daunting experience. In addition to the physical toll it takes on the body, it is also emotionally and financially taxing.
Cancer patients have to face many challenges during the course of their treatment and it is not related to just physical or mental aspects. The financial burden that they have to carry is also huge. To address this concern, the government and different organizations in India have initiated different concessions and assistance to alleviate the burden for both the patients and their escorts/ bystanders. Below, we dive deeper and take a look at the concessions available, application process, and provide essential travel tips.
Financial Aid for Travel: Government Schemes
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) | It provides financial assistance to the BPL patients which also includes the transportation cost, to and from hospital, collected while for the course of treatment as well as follow appointments. |
| Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) | It provides financial assistance to cancer patients towards their travel expenses related to treatment. It can be availed by applying through specific hospitals or healthcare facilities, which would then make the process of direct payment for travel expenditures or reimbursement easier. |
| State-specific Health Insurance Schemes | Many states in India have their own health insurance schemes which covers expenses related to cancer treatment, including travel costs. For example, Ayushman Bharat in some states like Punjab and Haryana provides coverage for cancer treatment, that includes travel expenses. |
Financial Aid for Travel: Regional Cancer Centers
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai:
➡ Train Travel: Patients can travel free or avail 50% discounted fares in 3AC , 2AC, or 1AC, while one attendant qualifies for up to a 25% discount.
➡ Bus Travel: Patients are eligible for up to a 50% discount on bus fares, whereas the escorts/bystander must pay the full fare.
➡ Air Travel: It extends up to a discount of 50% on airfare for patients, but only with Air India. However, bystanders are required to pay the full fare.
Cancer Institute (WIA) Adyar, Chennai:
Through its welfare programs, the institute offers financial assistance to the economically disadvantaged patients with their travel expenses.
The institute’s social service department accepts applications from patients for travel assistance, and after reviewing the applications, arranges help based on the patients’ eligibility.
Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram:
➡ Railway concession: The patient’s travel expenses are fully covered. Bystanders only have to pay for 25% of the 2nd class passenger’s actual fare. This discount is only for trips to and from RCC from the closest hometown station. If another center is mentioned, that location will also receive a concession.
➡ Air concession: The patient has to pay only 50% of the actual charge. But this concession is applicable only from the nearest home town airport to RCC and back. If referred to another center, concession is issued to that place also.
Airline Discounts for Cancer Patients
➡ Cancer patients are eligible for 50% concession on the basic fare of select booking in the Economy Class between place of residence and the place of treatment where the cancer hospital/ cancer Institute is located.
➡ Travel permitted within India as well as on India – Nepal sectors.
➡ Cancer patients should fill out an application stating that he/she is proceeding for treatment supported by a certificate issued by a hospital that specializes in cancer treatment
➡ Bookings cannot be made online.
Indian Railway Concessions for Cancer Patients
➡ Cancer Patient Concession: For the cancer patients travelling for their treatment or the follow-up appointments, Indian Railways offers a concession of 75% for second class, first class, and AC chair car, 100% for sleeper class and AC 3-tier, and 50% for first AC and AC 2-tier fares. This is available for both outpatient and inpatient treatment.
➡ Eligibility: Any patients holding a certificate issued by a recognized cancer hospital or institute are eligible if the certificate indicates that they are undergoing treatment for cancer.
➡ Application Procedure: It must be applied for in advance to the railway division’s Chief Commercial Manager or Senior Divisional Commercial Manager. Along with the necessary medical certificate, the application should also contain the patient’s name, address, and travel details.
➡ Verification: After the hospital issues the certificate, it needs to be verified by the Railway officials.
Train fare concession for cancer patients India
Patients undergoing cancer treatment can avail a 75% concession on the base fare of Mail/Express/Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains when traveling for medical purposes. This concession is applicable to both the patient and an accompanying escort. However, to qualify for this concession, a certificate from a recognized cancer hospital confirming the patient’s condition is required.
Special trains are arranged to transfer patients in case of medical emergencies or for specific treatments. For example, Shramik Special Trains have been used to make patient transit easier during emergencies like the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Lifeline Express, also known as the Cancer Train, is a joint initiative by Impact India Foundation and Indian Railways. It is fully equipped with advanced medical facilities and is also staffed by volunteer doctors as well as healthcare professionals. Patients who are diagnosed with cancer aboard the train are then referred to partner hospitals for additional treatment.
Indian Railways collaborates periodically with NGOs and healthcare institutions to organize health camp trains that travel to the rural parts of India and establishes a temporary healthcare base. These trains are equipped with medical facilities and staffed by healthcare personnel for proper treatment and care. Some of the biggest examples of such organizations who take part in it are the Indian Cancer Society, Cancer Aid Society, and Rotary Club, etc.
Medical certificate for train concession India
Know all about what the medical certificate typically includes and how to obtain it:
Certificate Contents
Obtaining the Certificate
Verification
Application
Certificate Contents
- The medical certificate should be issued by a recognized cancer hospital or institute and include the hospital’s contact details in its official letterhead.
- It should also clearly state the patient’s name, age, and address.
- It should mention the type of cancer the patient is diagnosed with.
- The certificate should indicate what treatment the patient is undergoing along with its details.
- The duration for which the patient requires the concession need also be mentioned.
- Lastly the certificate must be signed by an authorized medical practitioner or doctor at the cancer hospital or institute
Obtaining the Certificate
- With the patient in cancer treatment, the medical certificate is usually issued from the hospital or the medical center attending the patient.
- In this case, they can access the hospital management, and if not, the oncology department might help them get the certificate and the documents that are required to access the available concessions.
- The majority of the hospitals have an order on the requirements for this certificate. The patient or relatives should follow the regulation of that hospital in terms of the information and records which may be needed for comprehensive evaluation.
Verification
Once the hospital issues the medical certificate, its authenticity is then verified by the Railway authorities to ensure that the concession is claimed by eligible patients.
Application
The medical certificate is submitted along with the concession application to the Chief Commercial Manager or the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the concerned railway division.
Concessions for bystanders of cancer patients India
The bystanders escorting the cancer patients get discounts on their train tickets as well. They get 75% off for second class, first class, and AC chair car tickets, 75% off for sleeper and AC-3 tier tickets, and 50% off for first AC and AC-2 tier tickets.
Travel tips for cancer patients India
➡ Consult Your Oncologist: Make sure it’s safe to travel by first speaking with the oncologist before making any preparations.
➡ Pack Essentials: Include all prescriptions that are required, together with your medical records that include the diagnosis and treatment plan.
➡ Apply for Concessions: To avoid any last-minute headaches, check for and take advantage of concessions well in advance of the travel date.
➡ Stay Healthy: To preserve your energy during the trip, drink enough water and eat a balanced diet.
➡ Insure and Inform: To provide peace of mind and emergency coverage, think about purchasing travel insurance. Don’t forget to let the transportation workers know about any medical conditions you may have.
➡ Avoid Crowds: Steer clear of crowded settings and situations that could endanger your health by taking the appropriate safety measures.
Note: When traveling, challenges for cancer patients can stem from different factors, including mobility issues through treatment side effects or by the disease itself. It may either be short-term, as the body heals from therapy, or long-term or permanent. Basically, basic activities such as moving around can become problematic due to the decreased mobility. In addition, cancer treatments can increase the risk of bleeding, by lowering platelet counts. In cases of very low platelet counts, physicians might advise against flying owing to increased risk. So be careful and follow the advice of your doctor before making plans.
Indian Railways helpline for concession
| Contact Type | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Helpline Number |
For general questions and support, contact Indian Railways at (139) or (138). They are able to supply details regarding concession rules and regulations. In addition, the All India Railway Helpline Number, 1512, is available for all states and is operational around-the-clock. Note: Calling 139 isn’t toll-free. There’s a standard charge of ₹2 per minute. One can also use the USSD option by dialing *139# and following the instructions on the screen. |
| Indian Railways Website |
The official Indian Railways website, www.indianrailways.gov.in, also offers a lot of information regarding the several concessions that are offered, including those for patients and their companions. For more information, go to the concessions area of the website. Alternatively, you can contact railmadad.indianrailways.gov.in for any additional questions about concessions or the like. |
| Mobile Application |
You can download the RailMadad App, to learn more about the concession policies and associated details. |
Battling cancer, one of the deadliest conditions known to man, is a daunting experience. In addition to the physical toll it takes on the body, it is also emotionally and financially taxing.
Cancer patients deserve all the support and solidarity that individuals and organisations can offer them, during the course of their treatment which can run in lakhs at the very least. Travel concessions are offered by the following in India exclusively for cancer patients and their families – especially those who have to travel from one state to another for hospitalisation, as a way to help alleviate their financial burden significantly:
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.
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.
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Written by:
Aathira Ayyappan