Revised Ambedkar scheme covers cancer, kidney, heart, brain and other life-threatening ailments
Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) patients in Nagaland suffering from serious and life-threatening ailments can avail medical assistance of up to Rs 3.5 lakh under the revised Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid Scheme for 2026.
The scheme, implemented by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, provides financial assistance to eligible SC/ST applicants with an annual family income of not more than Rs 5 lakh.
The assistance covers major ailments requiring surgery or specialised treatment, including kidney, heart, liver, cancer and brain-related conditions, organ transplantation, spinal surgery and other life-threatening diseases.
Under the revised guidelines, assistance of up to Rs 3.5 lakh is available for kidney surgery, dialysis and kidney or organ transplantation. Up to Rs 2.5 lakh can be provided for cancer surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, while brain surgery and other life-threatening diseases are covered up to Rs 2 lakh. Assistance of up to Rs 1.5 lakh is available for heart and spinal surgery.
The scheme provides 100 percent of the estimated cost of surgery, subject to the prescribed maximum ceiling, with the approved amount released directly to the concerned hospital.
Beneficiaries covered under PM-JAY may also be eligible for assistance towards kidney or organ transplantation, subject to the conditions under the revised guidelines, as kidney transplantation is not covered under PM-JAY.
Applicants must belong to the SC or ST community, have an annual family income of not more than Rs 5 lakh and require treatment covered under the scheme. Treatment must be undertaken at an eligible or approved hospital.
The revised list of eligible institutions includes AIIMS, New Delhi and AIIMS in other States, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute, Lucknow, Patna Medical College Hospital, Jabalpur Hospital and Research Centre, B. Barua 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, among other institutions.
The scheme also covers other hospitals approved under the applicable categories, including CGHS-approved hospitals, State Government medical colleges and hospitals and State Government-recognised hospitals, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Applicants are required to submit the prescribed application form or apply on plain paper in the prescribed format, along with the original estimated cost certificate signed by the Medical Superintendent of the concerned hospital, including the scheduled date of surgery.
They must also submit self-attested copies of their latest income certificate and caste certificate, ration card or Aadhaar card of the patient, and a self-attested photograph. Additional documents relating to the relationship and donor details are required in cases of kidney transplantation.
Applications should reach the Director, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, 15 Janpath, New Delhi, at least 15 days before the scheduled date of surgery, dialysis or chemotherapy.
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima, has forwarded information on the revised scheme to concerned administrative authorities and called for wide publicity so that eligible beneficiaries are made aware of the assistance available.
Eligible SC/ST patients have been advised to verify their eligibility and submit applications within the stipulated timeframe to avail the assistance.
