The Government of Kerala launched the “Cancer Suraksha Scheme” on 1st November 2008 for children below the age of 18 who suffer from cancer and belong to families that are too poor to afford treatment. This scheme was launched under the Kerala Social Security Mission.
Cancer Suraksha Scheme - Introduction
The Government of Kerala launched the “Cancer Suraksha Scheme” on 1st November 2008 for children below the age of 18 who suffer from cancer and belong to families that are too poor to afford treatment. This scheme was launched under the Kerala Social Security Mission. Eligible patients are registered under the scheme and issued a Patient Card. Registered patients receive treatment free of cost at designated hospitals. If, upon further verification, a registered patient is found ineligible, assistance is stopped forthwith.
Cancer, once considered incurable, is now largely curable when treated early. Advances in medical science have greatly reduced its mortality. Recognizing the urgent need to extend financial support to cancer victims from families that cannot afford treatment, the Government of Kerala launched this scheme.
To provide cashless transactions, funds have already been deposited with the superintendents of the hospitals. Eligible patients receive benefits directly from these hospitals without approaching the Mission.
Hospitals Covered under the Scheme:
- Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
- Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
- Sree Avittam Thirunal Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram
- Government Medical College, Alappuzha
- Government Medical College, Kottayam
- Government Medical College, Thrissur
- Government Medical College, Kozhikode
- Co‑operative Medical College, Pariyaram, Kannur
- Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalassery, Kannur
- Government General Hospital, Ernakulam
- Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Kozhikode
- Govt. Medical College Hospital, Ernakulam
Benefits
- Under this scheme, children under 18 years would be given free treatment for cancer through designated Government hospitals in the state.
- The entire cost of treatment, including the cost of investigations, would be borne by the hospitals through the funds provided by the Mission.
- The ceiling of expenditure per child would be initially ₹50,000/-.
Note: The hospital can incur additional expenditure, based on the report of the committee comprising the Oncologist/treating doctor, the Head of the Radiology Department, and the Superintendent, subject to ratification by the Mission.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be residents of Kerala State; the scheme applies only to patients from Kerala.
- Cancer patients up to the age of 18 years in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) groups are eligible to be included in this scheme.
- Cancer patients should belong to families that are too poor to afford treatment.
- A confirmed diagnosis of cancer is required to be included in this scheme.
- Patients who are under 18 and require treatment are eligible for an additional year of benefit.
Exclusions
- Patients over 18 years old are not eligible to apply under the scheme.
- Patients already receiving free treatment in government hospitals are not eligible.
- Patients who are not domiciled in Kerala state are not eligible.
- Those patients who avail of the pay ward facility and are eligible for medical reimbursement from other sources or have medical insurance are not eligible for this scheme.
Application Process
To avail of the benefits of the scheme, the applicant may contact the following authorities:
- Scheme counselor who is appointed at selected hospitals/covered hospitals under this scheme.
- Concerned District Social Justice Officer.