Kohima: Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) patients in Nagaland suffering from serious and life-threatening ailments can avail medical assistance of up to ₹3.5 lakh under the revised Dr Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme for 2026.
The scheme, revised by the Dr Ambedkar Foundation under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, provides financial assistance to eligible SC/ST patients requiring surgery or specialised treatment for major ailments.
Applicants with an annual family income of not more than ₹5 lakh are eligible to apply, subject to the other conditions prescribed under the scheme.
The maximum assistance available includes ₹3.5 lakh for kidney surgery, dialysis and kidney or organ transplantation; ₹2.5 lakh for cancer surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy; ₹2 lakh for brain surgery and other life-threatening diseases; and ₹1.5 lakh each for heart and spinal surgery.
The scheme provides 100 percent of the estimated cost of treatment, subject to the prescribed ceiling. The approved assistance is released directly to the concerned hospital.
Beneficiaries covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) may also be eligible for assistance towards kidney or organ transplantation, subject to the conditions under the revised guidelines. Kidney transplantation is not covered under PM-JAY, according to the information circulated on the scheme.
To qualify, applicants must belong to the SC or ST community, have an annual family income of not more than ₹5 lakh, require treatment covered under the scheme and undergo treatment at an eligible or approved hospital.
The list of eligible institutions includes AIIMS, New Delhi and AIIMS institutions in other states; Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute, Lucknow; Patna Medical College Hospital; Jabalpur Hospital and Research Centre; B Barooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati; Birla Heart Foundation, Kolkata; Kalinga Hospital Ltd, Bhubaneswar; Tata Cancer Research Institute, Mumbai; Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad; and The Voluntary Health Services, Chennai.
The scheme also covers other listed major medical institutions, CGHS-approved hospitals, state government medical colleges and hospitals, state government-recognised hospitals and other hospitals approved under the scheme, subject to applicable conditions.
Applicants are required to submit the prescribed application form, available on the Dr Ambedkar Foundation website, or apply on plain paper in the prescribed format. The application must be accompanied by the original estimated cost certificate duly signed by the medical superintendent of the concerned hospital, including the scheduled date of surgery.
Applicants must also submit self-attested copies of the latest income and caste certificates, the patient’s ration card or Aadhaar card, and a self-attested photograph of the patient. Additional documents relating to the relationship and donor details are required in cases involving kidney transplantation.
Applications should reach the Director, Dr Ambedkar Foundation, 15 Janpath, New Delhi-110001, at least 15 days before the scheduled date of surgery, dialysis or chemotherapy.
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The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Chumoukedima, has circulated information on the revised scheme to the concerned administrative authorities and requested wide publicity to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are made aware of the assistance available.
Eligible SC/ST patients suffering from serious ailments have been advised to verify their eligibility and submit applications within the stipulated timeframe to avail the assistance.
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