Mumbai: The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has undertaken a one of its kind initiative by starting a patient relief fund for those who cannot afford the cost of the treatment. The concept have been started to help the patient in their difficult times.
The initiative has been started in the Sion hospital and soon will be implemented in state and civic-run government medical colleges across Maharashtra. “We have stated the initiative to reduce the financial burden of the patients and their families who cannot afford treatment and has to bear the cost,” said a doctor.
The MARD president, Dr Lokesh Kumar Chirwatkar, stated if a patient requires financial aid, then `10,000, will be provided to him on a monthly basis. “Our organisation has started this charitable initiative. Poor patients come to government medical colleges and civic hospitals in Maharashtra. They need some or other facility for which they spend money out of their own pockets,” he said.
He added they would gradually increase the amount depending on the number of patients in need of the financial assistance. “To help the patients out, we have started an initiative. Our organisation will provide financial assistance of `10,000 a month to the needy patients. This fund will be raised by contributions from resident doctors. We will keep revising the monthly limit as per the response in the future,” said Dr Chirwatkar.
