Working of the Charity Commissioner Department is People-Oriented – Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai : The work of the State Endowment Office is commendable. It is crucial to assess how much people-oriented work is accomplished by the departments, and they should strive to increase such efforts, stated Deputy Chief Minister and Law and Justice Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

During the inauguration of the Medical Help Room and the online system for the Charitable Sick Scheme, along with the 24-hour Morbid Medical Aid Helpline and the scanning and digitization of records in the Endowment Commissioner’s office in Worli, Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed his commitment to enhancing the efficiency of the charity sector.

Present at the event were Principal Secretary of the Law and Justice Department Uday Shukla, Endowment Commissioner Amogh Kaloti, Head of the State Level Special Medical Aid Cell Rameshwar Naik, Padmashree Dr. Tatyasaheb Lahane, and Dr. Shrikar Pardeshi, Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasized the importance of collaboration with charitable organizations and medical facilities to provide free and subsidized health services to the most vulnerable segments of the state. He noted that scanning and digitizing documents in the Endowment Commissioner’s office would facilitate more convenient hearings and enhance speed and transparency in processes.

Implementation of Medical Aid Room

The establishment of the Medical Aid Room will ensure effective implementation of the Charitable Sick Scheme. Reserved beds in charitable hospitals will be allocated based on need, providing poor patients with treatment at free or discounted rates. This initiative aims to improve access to high-quality healthcare services for low-income patients. Additionally, various government schemes, such as the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Care Fund, and Chief Minister’s Assistance Fund, will be accessible to patients through the medical aid class, as stated by Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis.

Beneficiaries can avail themselves of the scheme’s benefits through the online system or by verifying documents online. There will be a rational distribution of cots under the Charitable Sick Scheme. Access to these benefits can be facilitated through District Government Medical Colleges, charitable hospitals, the District Magistrate’s Office, or the State Level Special Help Cell, ensuring transparency in the scheme’s implementation. Patients will receive real-time information about available slots under the Endowment Scheme, enabling needy individuals to benefit from the program.

The Medical Aid Classes were formally inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis. The pre-inauguration phase has already assisted 323 patients suffering from serious illnesses in the past ten months, providing aid worth Rs. 12.73 crore, according to Rameshwar Naik, head of the class. More information about charitable hospitals in the state and their bed availability can be found at https://charitymedicalhelpdesk.maharashtra.gov.in/.

Information on the Deputy Chief Minister Medical Assistance Helpline

• In case of a medical emergency, citizens can access immediate treatment in charitable hospitals. A helpline has been established under the Deputy Chief Minister’s office.
• This facility is available at 1800 123 2211, providing 24/7 assistance regarding the scheme and application procedures.
• The helpline operates continuously, ensuring support is available at all times.

Information about the State Level Special Help Class

Since its inception, from January to August 2024, the State Level Special Help Class has provided benefits to 323 patients through the scheme, amounting to free or discounted treatment worth Rs. 12.73 crore. The program covers complex and costly surgeries, including heart transplants, cancer treatments, liver transplants, kidney transplants, and bone marrow transplants. The special class has facilitated treatment worth Rs. 3 to 4 crore through collaboration with charitable trusts, government hospitals, and various health initiatives.

All districts in the state, except Hingoli district, have a network of charitable hospitals. Approximately 468 hospitals are registered under charitable status in the state, with about 12,000 beds available for patients from economically weaker sections. This includes major hospitals such as Kokilaben, N.N. Reliance, Bai Jerbai Wadia, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital, The Bombay Hospital, Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital, D.Y. Patil Hospital, K.E.M. Hospital, Sahyadri Hospital, Sancheti Hospital, and Jahangir Hospital.