Aizawl: The Mizoram government is set to sign a USD 108 million (around Rs. 980 crore) loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen the state’s public healthcare system, Health Minister Lalrinpuii said on Tuesday.
The loan, approved earlier this month under the project titled Supporting Public Healthcare System Strengthening to Achieve Universal Healthcare for Mizoram, will primarily support the implementation of the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS).
Of the total amount, 90 per cent will be repaid by the Centre, while the state will bear the remaining 10 per cent over a 15-year period.
Although the ADB has cleared the funding, the formal agreement will be signed once the Union Ministry of Finance finalises the date, the minister said.
She added that the Centre’s substantial share in repayment would significantly ease the financial burden on the state in implementing the healthcare scheme.
An initial tranche of Rs. 21 crore is expected to be released within a month of signing the agreement, subject to existing disbursement-linked indicators.
The MUHCS was launched by the Zoram People’s Movement government led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma in March and became operational in April.
The scheme provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per financial year for cashless treatment at government hospitals and empanelled private and church-run hospitals.
According to Mizoram Health Care Society Chief Executive Officer Lalhriatzuali Ralte, 65,193 families have registered under MUHCS in the current financial year, including 36,323 families of government employees and 8,733 families of civil pensioners.
In addition, more than 2.20 lakh families registered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana are also eligible to avail benefits under the state scheme.
The health minister said that 59,602 beneficiaries have so far availed treatment under MUHCS, with healthcare expenditure crossing Rs. 100 crore.
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Nearly 69 per cent of patients were treated at state-run hospitals, which accounted for about 43 per cent of the total expenditure.
Lalrinpuii said the government is simultaneously investing in healthcare infrastructure and manpower.
Zoram Medical College and Hospital, the state’s only medical college, has been upgraded to 520 beds with 40 cabins, while the number of intensive care units has been increased from 13 to 26.
Aizawl Civil Hospital is also being strengthened under the Aizawl Smart City project.
She added that kidney transplant services will soon be introduced at Aizawl Civil Hospital, with the operating theatre already completed.
Nephrologists and other healthcare personnel will undergo training at a hospital in Kolkata in January, after which transplant procedures are expected to begin in the state.
