NGO Pushes for Special Health Cards for Chronically Ill Children

Quick Summary:

• Thrissur-based NGO Solace has appealed for introducing a special health card for “Children with long-Term Illness” (CLI) to ensure uninterrupted access to medicines and healthcare.
• The memorandum was submitted by Sheeba Ameer, founder of Solace, to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
• CLI includes conditions such as cancer, muscular dystrophy, nephrotic syndrome, Down syndrome, autism, renal failure, juvenile diabetes and others that rely on costly daily medicines for survival.
• Currently, the NGO spends ₹35 lakh monthly on medicines but can only cover half of the children’s needs; full cost would exceed twice this amount.
• Proposed CLI health cards aim to offer free or subsidised medicine at government medical facilities; however existing schemes lack effective implementation and funds allocation.
• Parents face deep financial distress due to caregiving responsibilities that affect income generation and lead some families into debt or despair.
• The NGO also emphasized unique rehabilitation needs during disasters for children on immunosuppressive drugs who cannot stay in regular relief camps.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The appeal from Solace highlights critical gaps in India’s healthcare system concerning children with long-term illnesses. While government schemes exist theoretically addressing similar issues at State and Central levels their ineffective execution creates profound challenges where impactful solutions sustainable-budget transparently allocations matter