AMRIT will reduce the burden of out-of-pocket expenses on patients; lakhs of people will be benefitted: J P Nadda

With the aim to reduce the expenditure incurred by common patients on treatment of cancer and heart diseases, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Shri J P Nadda inaugurated three Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) outlets located at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, and All India Institute Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur through video conferencing, here today.  Shri Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space were also present during the Video Conference.

 “We have now 12 AMRIT outlets across the country. More than 2141 drugs (including cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, stents, etc.) for treatment of Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases are being sold through AMRIT at a discount of more than 70% to the patients,” the Health Minister said.  Shri Nadda also stated that the benefits of the AMRIT clinics can be availed by both in-patients as well as out-patients. He further added that about 300 outlets shall be started by the end of this year and basket of choices of drugs shall also be enhanced further.

Shri Nadda informed that the AMRIT clinics have sold drugs worth Rs. 28 Crores as per the MRP. However, the costs to the patients through these outlets have only been Rs 9 crores.  This has resulted in saving of Rs. 19.00 Crores out of pocket expenditure to the patients.

“We are exploring the possibility of scaling up the facility and also making it accessible to larger number of people in various parts of the country. The State Governments have been informed about the AMRIT Pharmacies and have been advised to consider opening such pharmacies,” The Health Minister mentioned.

Shri Jitendra Singh said that this initiative is going to be a big boost to the healthcare in the region. It will not only go a long way in providing cost-effective medicines to lower strata of the society but through this we will also have a healthcare system that will be more trustworthy.

Also present in the video conference were Shri C K Mishra, Secretary, HFW, Dr. (Prof) Jagdish Prasad, DGHS, Shri Arun Kr. Panda, AS&MD, Shri K B Agarwal, Addl. Secretary Smt. Wansuk Syiem, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (MP), Rajya Sabha & Member Governing Council, NEIGRIHMS,  Shri. A. L. Hek, Hon’ble Health Minister, Govt. of Meghalaya, Dr. Thokchom Meinya, MP (LS) Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, Shri Thangso Baite, MP (LS) Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, Md. Haji Abdul Salam, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (RS), Manipur, Shri Kh. Joykishan Singh, Hon’ble MLA, Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency, Manipur, Shri Th. Biswajit Singh, Hon’ble MLA, Thongju Assembly Constituency, Manipur, Shri Ksh. Bhabananda Singh, President, BJP, Manipur, Shri M. Bhorot, Former President, BJP, Manipur, Shri Sh. Shanti Kumar Singh, Former President, BJP, Manipur, Shri Th. Chaoba, Former President, BJP, Manipur and Shri Gajendra Singh Ji Shekhawat, M.P. (Jodhpur) & Member Institute Body.

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MV/SK