Background Poverty and absence of any social security/medical insurance for the poor in India renders the rural poor extremely helpless in the face of life threatening diseases. Malnourishment makes them all the more vulnerable and inadequate health facilities in rural areas compounds their problem. Poor patients often succumb to life threatening diseases, if timely medical assistance is not provided.
IGSSS with generous donations from Misereor in the form of Medical Aid Programme has been supporting the socio-economically poor patients suffering from life threatening diseases for hospitalization and treatment. It contributes partially to defer expenses incurred in undergoing expensive treatment, especially in cases of chemotherapy, heart operations, kidney transplants and other health problems of serious nature. This support from IGSSS helps garner resources from other sources such as Prime Minister's Welfare Fund, Chief Minister's Welfare Fund.
The Personal Medical Aid Programme is categorized into two parts:
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Child Medical Aid for Children upto 16 years
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Adult Medical Aid for Individuals above 16 years.
The Medical Aid programme is centrally operated from the IGSSS Head office, New Delhi.
Operational guidelines of the Medical Aid Programme
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Applicant's monthly income ceiling not to exceed Rs.5000 per month.
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Applicants must be from the economically and socially weaker sections.
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Applications must be recommended by the Doctor treating him/her, Medical Social Worker, Bishops, Priests, Nuns/Member of Parliament(MP)./NGOs or other prominent citizens of the locality.
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A patient is given assistance only once.
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Hospitals providing treatment should be in the list of Central/State Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or should be Government Hospitals or should be providing the treatment under concessional packages.
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The Doctor/ Surgeon/ Head of the Hospital's Certificate should be attached to verify the total expenses to be incurred for the treatment.
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The support varies from case to case depending upon the need of the patient. Under the Medical Aid Grant, assistance up to a maximum of Rs 25000/- will be provided.
Financial assistance is not considered for the following cases:
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Diagnosis of illness.
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Reimbursement of expenses already incurred.
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Treatment for which assistance had already been availed.
Stories of Change
Sunshine after the Storm
Kumar Riya, aged 10years, was living a happy life with her family. But tragedy struck the family when she was diagnosed with serious heart ailment. The doctor at Narayana Hrudayalaya hospital, Bangalore told her father that she needs to undergo Open Heart Surgery immediately. The hospital management offered a concessional treatment package but still the expenses were beyond her family.
Riya's Father Sonji, a carpenter by profession was under tremendous stress as he did not have sufficient money to sustain the treatment. He was then advised by the hospital authorities to contact IGSSS for medical aid. His request was accepted and IGSSS gave Rs.15,000 for treatment. The operation was successful and Riya recovered well after the treatment.
Sonji was extremely happy to see his daughter regaining health and was extremely grateful to IGSSS for timely support.
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What We Do 
WHAT WE DO » Key Areas of Intervention
Promoting Sustainable Livelihood
