Maharashtra sets up Public Relief Society to raise funds for disaster and patient aid

Mumbai, Nov 4: Whenever drought or a natural disaster strikes the state, affected citizens have to be helped. Financially needy patients also require large funds for treatment. To make such funds available, the Chief Minister's Relief Fund will now get the strength of public participation. The Maharashtra Public Relief Society has been set up on the concept of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Additional funds will be raised with the participation of companies, institutions, donors and other social groups. The money can be used to help needy patients and citizens affected by various disasters. Patients needing expensive treatment can therefore be given greater financial assistance. Help can also be extended during drought, natural disasters and other emergencies.

Fadnavis had given directions at a review meeting of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund cell. He had asked that the options for raising additional funds for patients' treatment through social responsibility be studied. The society was set up accordingly.

The new arrangement will allow more assistance for surgeries for serious illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, kidney disease and brain disorders. Help can be given for costly and prolonged treatment, as well as for medicines, medical supplies and other things needed for treatment. It will also make it possible to raise special assistance for treatment of rare diseases.

Hospitals, voluntary organisations, companies and social institutions can be brought together as required to carry out different medical aid initiatives. Affected people and their families can be helped. It will be possible to distribute essential items to poor citizens, support organisations working for persons with disabilities and hold community health camps. Health awareness, seminars, workshops and public health initiatives can also be supported.

The society's broad aim is to raise greater resources through public participation and take help to needy patients and disaster-hit citizens. Whether the state faces drought or another natural disaster, relief initiatives will be carried out with the participation of social organisations during such crises. Since initiatives can be taken as needed, the scope of assistance can be widened in future.

Rameshwar Naik, head of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and Charitable Hospital Aid Cell, has appealed to donors to come forward and contribute to the initiative. It has been said of the arrangement that, through public participation by companies, institutions and philanthropists, help can reach the maximum number of needy people.