The government has allocated Tk 49.44 crore in the fourth installment of the 2025-26 fiscal year to support the treatment of 9,889 underprivileged patients suffering from critical diseases, including cancer, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, stroke-related paralysis, congenital heart disease and thalassemia.
The financial assistance will be distributed through the Department of Social Services (DSS) in 63 districts under the Ministry of Social Welfare.
Officials said the programme is providing vital support to thousands of poor families struggling with rising healthcare costs.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare Md Kamal Uddin Biswas said the assistance is provided under a prescribed policy framework after thorough verification of applications.
“Every application is scrutinized carefully before approval. Compared to actual treatment costs, the amount may be limited, but it is extremely helpful for poor patients,” he said.
He added that the government has instructed the authorities concerned to expedite the release and distribution of funds so that beneficiaries can receive support quickly.
Biswas also urged patients to apply for assistance immediately after diagnosis, saying many patients seek support at the final stage of illness when treatment opportunities become limited.
The Department of Social Services announced the allocation through an order issued on May 23 under the Financial Assistance Programme for Patients Suffering from Cancer, Kidney Disease, Liver Cirrhosis, Paralysis Due to Stroke, Congenital Heart Disease and Thalassemia.
According to the allocation data, Chattogram received the highest amount, with Tk 3.12 crore allocated for 625 beneficiaries.
Cumilla received Tk 2.11 crore for 423 patients, while Mymensingh was allocated Tk 2.07 crore for 402 beneficiaries.
Other major allocations include Tk 1.33 crore for 266 patients in Narayanganj, Tk 1.31 crore for 263 patients in Sylhet, Tk 1.27 crore for 254 beneficiaries in Bogura and Tk 1.24 crore for 249 patients in Noakhali.
Patients in the three hill districts have also been included in the programme. Rangamati received Tk 22 lakh for 44 patients, Bandarban Tk 16.5 lakh for 33 patients and Khagrachhari Tk 24.5 lakh for 49 beneficiaries.
Officials said the programme has been running for several years to ensure treatment support for poor patients, particularly those living in remote and underserved areas.
They noted that treatment costs for diseases such as cancer and kidney failure are often beyond the reach of many families, making government assistance an important lifeline.
The allocated funds must be utilized by June 30, 2026, under the Financial Assistance Programme Implementation Policy-2019 (Revised). Any unspent funds will have to be returned to the government treasury.
Officials expressed hope that the assistance would help ease the financial burden on thousands of families and enable patients to continue lifesaving treatment.