Iran helps people with special diseases

The credit allocated for people suffering from special diseases in this year’s budget plan has increased significantly, Welfare and Social Security Ministry announced, Iran Daily reported wit reference to Fars News Agency.

The ministry has issued smart cards for such people for optimizing the management of subsidies, forming a databank for such patients, overseeing their insurance coverage and preventing the rise in prices of expensive medicine needed by these people.

Of the 103,686 patients who have received smart cards so far, 65,339 people are insured by the Insurance Fund of Health Services, 3,055 people by Social Security Fund and 4,939 by the Armed Forces’ Health Services Insurance Organization.

Some 2,136 people are insured by Imam Khomeini Relief Committee while 817 people are insured by other funds.

From among these patients, about 19,000 people suffer from thalassemia, 7,300 are hemophiliacs, 36,000 have dialysis problems, 400 people had kidney transplants and 26,000 people suffer from multiple sclerosis.

With 17,500 people, Tehran province has the largest number of patients suffering from special diseases and South Khorasan province has the least number of patients with 524 people.

In recent years, credits approved for helping patients suffering from special diseases have not been sufficient and insurance companies constantly face a shortage of budget for rendering services to these patients. This year, the guidelines will be revised and after their approval by the Supreme Council of Health Insurance Services, insurance funds and organizations will be notified.

In implementing Clause B of Article 7 of the Subsidy Reform Law and upon the follow-up of Welfare and Social Security Ministry, 180 billion rials have been earmarked for patients suffering from special diseases, in addition to the regular funds. These resources can help people suffering from special diseases have fewer concerns and become more hopeful about the future.


/Trend/