Mizoram launches portal for out-of-state medical referrals

Aizawl: The Mizoram govt on Wednesday launched an online medical referral system to simplify and speed up referrals for patients seeking treatment outside the state.Health & family welfare minister Lalrinpuii launched the system at the SAD Conference Hall in Aizawl, calling it a key step in modernising healthcare administration and improving access to services.She said digital initiatives were strengthening healthcare governance by improving information sharing, preserving official records and making government services easier to access. Lalrinpuii also said online registration under the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS) had become more accessible, with more than 46,000 families registered.“For the online medical referral system to serve its intended purpose effectively, all concerned officials must work with commitment and diligence,” she said, adding that the system would be particularly useful in emergency referral cases and required proper monitoring and management.Health & family welfare commissioner and secretary K Lalrinzuali called the launch a milestone.“Today is a memorable day for our department as well as for the people of Mizoram,” she said.Officials said the system was developed after the govt reviewed difficulties faced by seriously ill patients needing treatment outside Mizoram, especially those in districts far from Aizawl.Until now, medical referral boards operated only in Aizawl and Lunglei.

Patients recommended by the boards had to obtain forwarding letters from their departments and physically approach the Directorate of Hospital & Medical Education (DHME) for provisional permission, a process officials said often caused delays and hardship.Under the new system, District Screening Committees (DSCs) have been set up in all district hospitals to examine cases locally and coordinate with the medical referral boards in Aizawl and Lunglei through video conferencing before recommendations are made.Patients and families will no longer need to visit the DHME office for provisional approval. Applications can be submitted online at medicalreferralmizoram.in via mobile phone or computer after paying a Rs 20 fee.The portal is primarily designed for government employees, who must upload forwarding letters from their departments along with Medical Board documents. After provisional permission is issued, applicants must report to the Mizoram State Health Care Society (MSHCS).

MUHCS beneficiaries in the general category who are not government employees must report to MUHCS authorities with Medical Board documents.Officials said final permission will still require document verification and can be collected from the DHME office during working hours by patients or family members.During the programme, Mizoram State e-Governance Society (MSeGS) project manager Isaac Zothanpuia presented a technical report and demonstrated the portal. Director of hospital & medical education Dr Zonunmawii Pachuau delivered the vote of thanks.