Srinagar, Sep 1: In a major boost to healthcare support for economically vulnerable families, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has overhauled the Cancer Treatment & Management Fund for Poor (CTMFP), widening eligibility and increasing financial assistance for patients battling cancer.

The revised guidelines, introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, aim to reduce the heavy out-of-pocket expenses that often accompany cancer treatment, particularly for outpatient care, diagnostic tests and medicines not adequately covered under existing health insurance arrangements.
Under the revamped scheme, the annual family income ceiling for eligibility has been increased from ₹2.40 lakh to ₹4 lakh, bringing a larger number of low-income families within its ambit.
The government has also replaced the earlier one-time assistance mechanism with a provision for up to three separate financial sanctions, recognising that cancer treatment is often prolonged and requires sustained financial support.
The revised guidelines provide assistance of ₹75,000 to families with annual income up to ₹3 lakh, while families earning between ₹3 lakh and ₹4 lakh annually will be eligible for assistance of ₹50,000.
Another significant change is the expansion of treatment options. Beneficiaries can now avail themselves of treatment at any hospital empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY-SEHAT network, giving patients greater flexibility in accessing specialised healthcare.
The administration has also introduced a more patient-friendly payment mechanism. Instead of transferring assistance directly to hospital accounts, the sanctioned amount will now be transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the beneficiary’s bank account.
To ensure timely delivery of assistance, Deputy Commissioners have been directed to deposit the sanctioned amount into beneficiaries’ bank accounts within 72 hours of the release of funds from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
The changes mark a significant departure from the original CTMFP guidelines introduced in 2010, reflecting an effort to align government assistance with the realities of modern cancer care and the prolonged financial burden faced by affected families.
While the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY-SEHAT framework provides broad coverage for major hospital-based treatment, cancer patients and their families can still face substantial expenses related to medicines, investigations, follow-up consultations and other outpatient requirements. The revamped CTMFP seeks to bridge this gap.
The government’s latest move is therefore aimed not only at expanding financial assistance but also at making the support more accessible, flexible and timely.
For families already struggling with the emotional and medical challenges of cancer, the enhanced income ceiling, repeated assistance and direct financial transfers could provide a crucial safety net at a time when every rupee matters.