The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) provided over USD 2 million under its healthcare assistance programme in June.
Established on 27 August 2008, NSPA is responsible for administering the National Social Health Insurance Scheme and planning and implementing the programmes outlined under the Social Protection Act. In addition, NSPA is also tasked with carrying out the duties assigned by the President under the authority given to him by law.
According to NSPA statistics, USD 2.2 million was spent on providing healthcare assistance last month, of which USD 758,754 was spent on funding medical treatment abroad, while USD 1.4 million was for treatment from local healthcare facilities.
NSPA provided financial assistance across 1,173 cases covering 22 medical categories. Last month, NSPA spent the most on cancer and orthopedic treatment. Assistance was provided to 146 cases for cancer treatment and 132 cases for orthopedic diseases along with funding for 124 cases of neurological disease treatments.
• ENT:121 cases
• Reproductive: 119 cases
• Respiratory: 113 cases
• Gastrointestinal: 106 cases
• Ophthalmology: 98 cases
• Urinary: 91 cases
• Pediatrics: 68 cases
• Gynecology: 60 cases
• Mental disorders: 59 cases
• Other: 53 cases
• Cardiovascular: 51 cases
• Dermatology: 47 cases
• Hematology: 40 cases
• Endocrine: 24 cases
• Congenital disorders: 21 cases
• Autoimmune diseases: 14 cases
• Dental care: 14 cases
• Hepatic: 13 cases
• Thalassemia: 7 cases
For inpatient treatment at local private healthcare facilities, NSPA spent USD 531,776 to fund treatment for 575 cases across ADK Hospital and Tree Top Hospital.
NSPA has been running various programmes to help people in need of financial assistance. These include the medical assistance programme and a financial support scheme for persons with disabilities. Other initiatives include financial aid for single mothers and fathers living in poverty, as well as assistance for children and their caregivers who are being supported by someone other than their parents due to financial hardship. In addition, the agency provides a food assistance programme for low-income households and administers the national social health insurance scheme.