MARD starts patient relief fund for needy

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has started a patient relief fund for those who cannot afford the cost of treatment. The fund has been started in civic-run Sion Hospital, and will soon be instituted in state and civic-run government medical colleges across Maharashtra.

Initially, the relief fund was started at Sion Hospital for poor patients eligible for free treatment but unable to bear the high cost of medicines. The MARD will provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per month to needy patients. The fund will be raised through contributions from resident doctors.

Dr Lokesh Kumar Chirwatkar said, “While treating, we are witnessing a number of problems of long-suffering patients, especially those who can’t afford to buy even tablets.”

“Considering all situations, we’ve taken this initiative to help the poor and needy. We will help patients bear the cost of their treatment. If they require financial aid, Rs 10,000 will be provided to them on a monthly basis,” he said.

“There are poor pati-ents visiting government medical colleges and mu-nicipal hospitals all over the state who spend money out of their pockets,” said Dr Chirwatkar.