Mizoram govt has decided to disburse all pending healthcare bills under MSHCS

Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii informed the State Assembly that all outstanding bills under the Mizoram Health Care Scheme (MSHCS)  would be settled during the current fiscal which ends on March 31. Lalrinpuii disclosed that over Rs 45.59 crore is owed to beneficiaries under the Mizoram State Health Care Scheme (MSHCS). “The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government, which took office on December 8, has allocated Rs 40 crore from funds, allocated for the Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) of the previous Mizo National Front (MNF) government, to address the backlog of medical bills,” she stated.

Additionally, Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who also looks after the finance portfolio, has allocated an additional Rs 15 crore for bill settlement, Lalrinpuii added.She said this in response to a query from opposition MNF member K Laldawngliana. The healthcare bill was a significant political issue before the 2023 assembly polls with the MNF government receiving criticisms for “failing to clear” the medical bills. Lalrinpuii further informed the House that the state government will borrow Rs 1,000 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to enhance the healthcare scheme.

“This (loan) was an initiative of the MNF government and even though the loan agreement was on the verge of signing during the MNF rule, it was delayed due to the state assembly polls held in November last year, she said. “The loan agreement will be signed after the Lok Sabha polls this year,” the minister added.EOM