Government to pay Rs 80 lakh to AIIMS

Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to pay up to Rs.80 lakh to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The institute was having dues over 13 months in regard to the treatment of the cost of patients with rare diseases.

The patient was left high and dry with the Centre not being able to fund the cost of treatment in AIIMS. The enzyme replacement treatment (ERT) has been put on hold over outstanding payments from the Health Ministry for drugs.

In this case, only Rs.20 lakh has been received to date and balance to be paid in four weeks. The case was filed by patients including Ayesha Begum, whose children Arshi and Ubed have not been receiving therapy since September last year, suffering from Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I).  The ministry had proposed Rs.100 crores in the year 2017. The Government is expected to release the funds soon.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2020