Lagatar24 Desk
Pune: Amid an alarming surge in suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases across Pune district, the state government on Saturday announced a significant increase in treatment coverage under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The revised health package now offers free medical treatment worth up to ₹1.60 lakh, doubling the previous limit of ₹80,000.
State Responds to GBS Outbreak
The decision comes as Pune district reports 82 suspected cases of GBS, with many patients requiring ventilator support due to complications such as pneumonia. The increased financial coverage aims to alleviate the burden of the high-cost treatment associated with the autoimmune disorder.
Government Notification and Revised Packages
A notification issued by the government highlighted the expanded coverage for GBS and related conditions such as Myasthenic Crisis, Relapse, Refractory Optic Neuritis, Transverse Myelitis, and Autoimmune Encephalitis. The move followed a January 22 meeting led by Pune’s divisional commissioner, where the need to revise treatment packages was emphasized.
Annasaheb Chavan, Chief Executive Officer of MJPJAY and PM-JAY schemes, stated, “The packages were revised after discussions with medical health officers. All procedures related to GBS will benefit patients, and any additional treatment requirements should be communicated for further revisions.”
Support for Critical Care
The revised scheme allows GBS patients to access comprehensive treatments under government health insurance, addressing the critical care requirements of those affected by the condition. Medical professionals and authorities have been urged to ensure effective utilization of the updated packages to support recovery and reduce financial stress on affected families.
