Lok Sabha Question No. 3234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) Scheme for Cancer Patients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3234 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025

## RASHTRIYAAROGYANIDHI(RAN)SCHEMEFORCANCERPATIENTS

## 3234. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme, including the Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) and its implementation in 2025, particularly for cancer patients Below Poverty Line (BPL);
- (b) whether the BPL patients suffering from cancer are eligible to apply for financial assistance under the RAN scheme and if so, the specific documents that are required for their application;
- (c) the total amount of funds disbursed under the said scheme and HMCPF in 2024-25, yearwise and State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Members of Parliament recommend BPL patients who are eligible for RAN assistance and if so, the details thereof along with steps involved in the recommendation and application process; and

(e) the number of Government hospitals and institutions, including Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) eligible to provide treatment under the said scheme?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (e) - One-time financial assistance of up to Rs. 15 lakh is provided for the treatment of poor patients, suffering from cancer under the Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) component of the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), who are living below State/UT-wise threshold poverty line (offline mode) and also for the treatment of those poor patients who belong to those States/UTs the National Food Security Act (NFSA) data of which is integrated on National Health Authority (NHA)'s IT platform (online mode).

Patients can apply for financial assistance under the Umbrella Scheme of RAN through either offline or online modes. Offline submission of applications can be made through any Government hospital by patients belonging to those States/UTs, the NFSA data of which, is not integrated on National Health Authority (NHA)'s IT platform. For online mode (for States/UTs which are integrated on NHA's IT platform), the Government hospital generates RAN ID of the eligible patient and, subsequently, the application is processed further through the Transaction Management System (TMS). Upon approval, confirmation is sent to the bank for reserving the fund for the patient and treatment commences. Antyodaya beneficiaries from States/UTs where National Food Security Act (NFSA) data has been integrated with the National Health Authority's (NHA) IT platform, as well as PM-JAY beneficiaries requiring treatment not covered under PM-JAY, are eligible to avail benefits under the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) through the online mode.

Financial assistance for eligible patients is released to the treating hospitals/institutes. Since the funds are released on case-to-case basis in both online and offline modes, State/ UT-wise data is not maintained centrally. An amount of Rs. 27.06 Crores was disbursed under the Umbrella Scheme of RAN, which includes a component of HMCPF in 2024-25. A total of 134 poor patients have been benefitted through the said scheme in 2025-2026 (till 16.07.2025) with an amount of Rs. 9.14 Crores disbursed.

There is no provision for recommendation from Members of Parliament under the Umbrella Scheme of RAN, however, requests are received from Hon'ble Members for processing of applications which are disposed off in accordance with the guidelines of the RAN Scheme. Offline applications are required to be in prescribed proforma duly signed by the treating doctor and countersigned by Medical Superintendent of the Government hospital along with Income Certificate and Ration Card of the family is required to be submitted for seeking financial assistance under RAN. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration card and Aadhaar card are required for processing of applications through online mode. The process of cases under RAN involves various stages of action i.e. scrutiny of application, placing the matter before Technical Committee, administrative and financial approvals.

The financial assistance is provided for treatment of the patients at Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) / Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs), State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and other Government hospitals/institutes having cancer treatment facilities.

More information on the Umbrella Scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi can be accessed at the link: https://mohfw.gov.in/?q=en/Major-Programmes/poor-patients-financial-support