Rs 21.2 cr spent on patients at PGI through govt schemes in 2023-24

Funds to the tune of Rs 21.2 crore were spent on needy patients through various government schemes at the PGI in the 2023-24 financial year.

The government schemes, including Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant, National Policy for Rare Diseases and Dr Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme, assist poor patients with healthcare needs at the premier health institute.

Besides, the PGI runs Poor Patient Welfare Fund for the underprivileged. In FY 2023-24, Rs 3.24 crore was disbursed to support poor patients under the scheme.

In addition, Rs 18.59 crore worth of medicines were procured under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) scheme, benefiting countless mothers and their children. From 2024, the hospital also introduced a cashless treatment programme under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) for beneficiaries.

The PGI also operates seven Amrit Pharmacy centres, the highest number of such centres in any public-sector hospital in India. This coupled with two Jan Aushadi centres help provide generic medicines at significantly lower prices, ensuring affordable healthcare to economically disadvantaged individuals.

Leads in Ayushman Bharat scheme

In 2023-24, the PGI provided treatment to 32,000 Ayushman Bharat Yojana beneficiaries with package amount over Rs 130 crore, ensuring that the highest number of patients in Union Territories received essential medical treatments.

HIMCARE success at PGI

A cashless scheme, Himachal Pradesh Swasthya Bima Yojana Society, popularly known as HIMCARE, was launched in PGI in March 2024. It has proven to be a major success at the PGI, with over 3,688 patients benefiting from essential medical services worth Rs 19,77,15,622.

The scheme designed to alleviate the financial burden on patients from Himachal Pradesh underscores the PGI’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to all.