Kohima, September 10 (MExN): Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) patients in Nagaland suffering from serious and life-threatening ailments can avail medical assistance of up to Rs 3.5 lakh under the revised Dr Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme for 2026.
The scheme, implemented by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, provides financial assistance to eligible SC/ST patients requiring surgery or specialised treatment for major ailments.
Applicants with an annual family income of not more than Rs 5 lakh are eligible to apply. The scheme covers kidney, heart, liver, cancer and brain-related conditions, organ transplantation, spinal surgery and other life-threatening diseases.
Under the revised guidelines, financial assistance is capped at Rs 3.5 lakh for kidney surgery/dialysis and kidney or organ transplantation, Rs 2.5 lakh for cancer surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, Rs 2 lakh for brain surgery and other life-threatening diseases, and Rs 1.5 lakh each for heart and spinal surgery.
The scheme provides 100 percent of the estimated cost of treatment, subject to the prescribed ceiling. The approved assistance is released directly to the concerned hospital.
Beneficiaries covered under PM-JAY may also be eligible for assistance towards kidney or organ transplantation, subject to the conditions of the scheme. The revised guidelines note that kidney transplantation is not covered under PM-JAY.
To qualify, applicants must belong to the SC or ST community, have an annual family income of not more than Rs 5 lakh, require treatment covered under the scheme and seek treatment at an eligible or approved hospital.
The list of eligible institutions includes AIIMS, New Delhi and AIIMS in other States, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute, Lucknow; Patna Medical College Hospital; Jabalpur Hospital and Research Centre; B Barua Cancer Institute, Guwahati; Birla Heart Foundation, Kolkata; Kalinga Hospital Ltd, Bhubaneswar; Tata Cancer Research Institute, Mumbai; Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad; and The Voluntary Health Services, Chennai.
Other eligible institutions include listed major medical institutions, CGHS-approved hospitals, State Government medical colleges and hospitals, State Government-recognised hospitals and other hospitals approved under the scheme, subject to applicable conditions.
Applicants are required to submit the prescribed application form available on the Dr Ambedkar Foundation website, or apply on plain paper in the prescribed format. The application must include the original estimated cost certificate signed by the Medical Superintendent of the concerned hospital, including the scheduled date of surgery.
Self-attested copies of the latest income certificate and caste certificate, ration card or Aadhaar card of the patient, and a self-attested photograph are also required. Additional documents relating to the relationship between the donor and patient and donor details are required for kidney transplantation cases.
Applications should reach the Director, Dr Ambedkar Foundation, 15 Janpath, New Delhi-110001, at least 15 days before the scheduled date of surgery, dialysis or chemotherapy.
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima, has circulated information on the revised scheme to concerned administrative authorities and requested wide publicity to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are made aware of the assistance.
Eligible SC/ST patients have been advised to verify their eligibility and submit applications within the stipulated timeframe.
