The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee has alleged that the ZPM government’s push to expand the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme is being undermined by high enrolment fees that exclude a large section of the population. MPCC spokesperson and general secretary Dr. Lallianchhunga said the party is cautious in its criticism as many patients have benefited from the scheme, but maintained that serious gaps remain despite repeated praise from the government.
He said the cost of enrolment is too high for people who are not salaried under the government, resulting in low participation among the general public. RTI data cited by the party shows that enrolment and usage remain limited across categories, with 17,715 people enrolled in the general ward category and 16,498 availing benefits, while the numbers drop sharply in higher categories such as semi-cabin and private cabin.
According to the Congress, even though 29,472 people enrolled in 2026 till April 14, marking an increase from last year, the figures still do not match earlier levels seen under previous schemes. The party recalled that during its tenure, lower enrolment fees under the Mizoram State Health Care Scheme led to significantly higher participation, while a fee hike introduced later caused enrolment to fall sharply from 87,695 in 2021 to 39,505 in 2022 to 2023.
The party also said it is concerning that churches have had to step in to help members pay enrolment fees, arguing that a public healthcare scheme should remain accessible without such support. It added that if the government genuinely wants more people to enrol, it must reduce the fee so that all non salaried households can afford to join.
Raising concerns about implementation, the Congress said many beneficiaries are unable to access empanelled hospitals and are forced to spend large amounts at private hospitals that are not covered under the scheme. It questioned the disparity between ordinary beneficiaries and elected representatives, stating that ministers and MLAs are able to claim treatment expenses at hospitals of their choice while common people face restrictions.
The party further criticised provisions under MUHCS 2.0, particularly those affecting pensioners. It said the revised rules limit the ability of pensioners to include family members in claims and impose mandatory enrolment conditions, which it described as harsh for retirees who had previously served the state.
It also alleged that the government has failed to adequately empanel private hospitals within Mizoram, forcing many patients to seek treatment outside the state and leading to a steady outflow of funds. This, the Congress said, weakens the local healthcare system and economy.
The party urged the ZPM government to treat MUHCS as a welfare measure rather than a revenue driven scheme and called for immediate reforms to make it more inclusive and effective for the people of Mizoram.