Harayana Govt has introduced Free Travel Facility for all Cancer Patients in the state while commuting on State Transport Buses.
“Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has approved the proposal of the health department that will enable cancer patients to travel for free in the Haryana Roadways buses,” a state government spokesperson said.
About 50,000 cancer patients travel in the Haryana Roadways buses to reach various hospitals for treatment every year. A cancer patient has to visit hospital about 15 times a year which costs him a lot of money, the spokesperson added.
Haryana Health Minister Rao Narender Singh said the civil surgeons would issue identity cards to cancer patients in their districts to help them avail the free travelling facility.
“The identity card will be valid for a maximum of 15 visits (to and from) or one year. After the expiry of the validity, the patient would have to submit it in the office of the civil surgeon for issuance of a new card,” he said.
The health department would pay Rs.five crore to the transport department for the free travel of the cancer patients, the spokesperson said.