Cancer, kidney patients to get Tk1 lakh aid

The government has announced an increase in one-time financial assistance for patients suffering from six serious and incurable diseases, raising the support from Tk 50,000 to Tk 1 lakh in the FY2026-27 budget.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury made the announcement on Thursday while presenting the national budget in Parliament.

The assistance will be provided once a year to poor and helpless patients who are unable to afford treatment. It is implemented under the “Hospital Social Services Programme” of the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare.

The support covers patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, stroke-induced paralysis, congenital heart disease, and thalassemia.

According to the budget proposal, many patients with these critical illnesses are unable to continue treatment due to financial hardship, often pushing families into severe economic distress.

The programme is designed to reduce this burden and support access to life-saving care.
Officials said the initiative has been widely appreciated as part of the government’s social welfare efforts.

The budget was presented under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. It is the country’s 55th national budget, which was later approved by the Cabinet and given presidential assent by President Mohammad Shahabuddin. The new fiscal year will begin on July 1.