Mizoram's healthcare sector is set to make significant advancements as government-run hospitals prepare to introduce tissue and kidney transplant services, marking a new era in the state's medical capabilities. Health Minister Lalrinpuii announced these developments on May 26 during the inauguration of a free health check-up program for scribes at Aizawl Civil Hospital, the largest hospital in the state.

A key highlight of the announcement was the installation of a Cardiology operation theatre, or Cath Lab, at Aizawl Civil Hospital. This new facility will enable several advanced medical procedures previously unavailable in the state. Furthermore, the hospital is gearing up to perform kidney transplants, having installed a designated operation theatre and obtained the necessary license from the central government. Initially, expert surgeons from outside Mizoram will conduct kidney transplant surgeries, simultaneously training local surgeons to build regional expertise.

In addition to these advancements at Aizawl Civil Hospital, another operation theatre is being established at Zoram Medical College and Hospital (ZMCH) in Falkawn, near Aizawl. This facility is intended to provide open heart surgery services, which are expected to greatly alleviate the financial burden on patients. Currently, open heart surgeries cost approximately Rs 8 lakh in private hospitals, but at ZMCH, this cost will be significantly reduced to about Rs 1.5 lakh, making such treatments far more accessible to the local population.

Lalrinpuii also praised the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS), launched on April 1. She described it as one of the best healthcare initiatives introduced in the state. Despite being in operation for just a month, the scheme has already shown significant positive impact on the population. The program offers a health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for cashless treatment at government hospitals, empanelled private hospitals, and church-run hospitals.

The minister urged non-salaried families and non-government employees to register under the MUHCS to avail themselves of the benefits, which include simplified referral systems for accessing empanelled hospitals outside Mizoram. Registration fees for the scheme are modest, with general beneficiaries paying Rs 2,500 for cashless treatment in general wards, Rs 5,000 for semi-private wards or cabins, and Rs 10,000 for private wards or cabins.

Government employees, including those on contractual and muster-roll terms, contribute monthly premiums ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,500, depending on their pay scales, for unlimited health coverage. Civil pensioners contribute between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 monthly to access cashless treatments in private and semi-private wards, with health coverage ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 12 lakh.

Beneficiaries who hold golden cards under the Centre's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) are exempted from registration fees under MUHCS, ensuring they can access the state scheme’s benefits without additional costs.

In summary, Mizoram’s healthcare system is expanding its capabilities with new tissue and kidney transplant services and affordable heart surgeries. The MUHCS is playing a crucial role in providing accessible health insurance and cashless treatment options for various population segments, making healthcare more inclusive and financially manageable for the people of Mizoram. The government’s efforts aim to improve medical infrastructure, empower local healthcare professionals, and provide broader health coverage to residents across the state.