Kochi: Seeking more fund to assure treatment to rare diseases, Kerala Social Security Mission submitted an affidavit before the High Court. The affidavit noted that around Rs 50 crore is needed on an emergency basis to provide essential medical care.
Under We Care project, the government sanctioned financial aid to 637 patients who needed treatment, including transplantation of bone marrow and liver. The government submitted the affidavit after the court demanded an explanation on aids under We Care project.
The court sought an explanation from Social Security Mission while hearing the appeal moved by the government against the court order to a plea forwarded by M Manoj. In the petition, Manoj requested free treatment to a child who is suffering from lysosomal storage disease. The court also considered with this case a Public Interest Litigation demanding free treatment for all children affected by similar diseases.
At the same time, the state government pointed out that even the fund in annual budget is not sufficient for many projects. When the government earned an annual revenue of Rs 38.88 cr during the last financial year, Rs 37.09 cr was spent for We Care project. At present, the government holds a fund of Rs 1.79 cr. The shortage of funds is affecting the implementation of We Care Project.
Meanwhile, the government has drafted a new project to collect funds from public. This project will be officially launched in Kannur next month. The government aims to raise at least Rs 3 crore. Similar fund raising programmes will be organised in other districts too.
https://english.mathrubhumi.com/health/health-news/treatment-of-rare-diseases-govt-demands-more-fund-1.4476786