Approval of new national policy for rare diseases, Rs 20 lakh for treatment

- Not only BPL cardholders but 40 per cent of the population involved in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana will benefit

New delhi date. Sunday, April 4, 2021

Union Health Minister Dr. Harshvardhan has approved the National Policy 2021 on Rare Illnesses. It aims to reduce the high cost of treating rare diseases by focusing more on indigenous research of drugs and its domestic production. This information was given on Saturday by an official statement.

Under the National Health Fund Scheme, financial assistance of up to Rs. 20 lakh has been provided for the treatment of such rare diseases. Such rare diseases are required to be listed under a set in the policy. According to the Ministry of Health, the beneficiaries of such financial assistance will not be limited to BPL families only. This benefit will be extended to 40 per cent of the country's population who are eligible under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Financial assistance for the treatment of rare diseases has been proposed not under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY but under the National Health Fund (RAN) scheme. Apart from that, the policy also envisages a crowdfunding system in which corporate and people will be encouraged to provide financial assistance through a strong IT platform for the treatment of rare diseases. Union Health Minister Harshvardhan on March 30 approved the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021.