Mizoram to enhance healthcare with $108 million ADB Loan

Aizawl: Mizoram is poised to enhance its public healthcare system through a $108 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), health and family welfare minister Lalrinpuii announced on Tuesday.The loan, part of the ADB-funded project “Supporting Public Healthcare System Strengthening to Achieve Universal Healthcare for Mizoram,” was approved earlier this month. The agreement will be finalized once the Ministry of Finance sets a signing date, Lalrinpuii stated at a press conference.The financial arrangement will see the central government covering 90% of the loan, with Mizoram responsible for the remaining 10% over a 15-year repayment period.

This setup is expected to significantly reduce the state's financial burden in implementing the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS).Following the agreement's signing, an initial disbursement of Rs 21 crore is anticipated within a month, in accordance with the Disbursement Linked Indicator mechanism.Launched by the Zoram People’s Movement govt in March and operational since April, the MUHCS offers health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for cashless treatment at government and empanelled private and church-run hospitals.

Lalhriatzuali Ralte, CEO of Mizoram Health Care Society, reported that 65,193 families have registered for the scheme this fiscal year, including 36,323 govt employee families and 8,733 civil pensioner families. Additionally, over 2.20 lakh families registered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana are eligible for MUHCS benefits.To date, 59,602 beneficiaries have received treatment under the scheme, with healthcare expenditures surpassing Rs 100 crore.

State-run hospitals treated 68.56% of patients, accounting for 43.47% of the total expenditure.The government is also focused on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and manpower. Zoram Medical College and Hospital has been upgraded to 520 beds, and the number of intensive care units has increased from 13 to 26. Aizawl Civil Hospital, the state’s largest govt hospital, is undergoing upgrades under the Aizawl Smart City project.Additionally, renal transplant services will soon commence at Aizawl Civil Hospital. An operation theatre for the procedure is complete, and healthcare personnel will undergo specialized training in Kolkata in January, with kidney transplant procedures to follow.