By Mostak Ahmad

DHAKA, June 8, 2026 (BSS) - The government has allocated Tk 49.44 crore in the fourth installment of the 2025-26 fiscal to support the treatment of 9,889 underprivileged patients suffering from critical and costly diseases, including cancer, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, paralysis caused by stroke, congenital heart disease and thalassemia.

The financial assistance will be distributed among beneficiaries in 63 districts through the Department of Social Services (DSS) under the Ministry of Social Welfare.

Officials concerned said the programme is providing crucial relief to thousands of poor patients and their families at a time when healthcare costs continue to rise sharply.

Many families are often forced to sell land, take loans or exhaust their savings to continue treatment for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

The government support helps them bear part of the medical expenses and continue treatment, they added.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare Md Kamal Uddin Biswas told BSS that the assistance is provided following a prescribed policy framework and a thorough verification process.

“Every application is scrutinized carefully before approval. Compared to the actual treatment cost, the amount may be limited, but it is extremely helpful for poor patients,” he said.

He said the government wants the financial assistance to reach genuine beneficiaries as quickly as possible and has instructed the authorities concerned to expedite fund release and distribution after approval.

Responding to allegations that some patients die before receiving assistance despite applying for support, Biswas said such situations can largely be avoided if applications are submitted soon after diagnosis.

“Many patients seek assistance at the final stage of their illness when very little treatment time remains. Patients should apply for government support immediately after diagnosis,” he said, urging patients, family members and healthcare institutions to remain aware of the matter.

Social Service department disclosed the allocation through an order issued on May 23. 

Following approval from the Ministry of Social Welfare, the fourth-quarter allocation for the April-June period of FY2025-26 was released under the Financial Assistance Programme for Patients Suffering from Cancer, Kidney Disease, Liver Cirrhosis, Paralysis D0ue to Stroke, Congenital Heart Disease and Thalassemia.

According to the order, the funds will be disbursed through designated bank accounts in different districts from the Agargaon branch of Sonali Bank PLC. The process of transferring the allocated funds to district-level accounts has already begun.

District-wise allocation data show that Chattogram received the highest amount, with Tk 3.12 crore allocated for 625 beneficiaries.

Cumilla received Tk 2.11 crore for 423 patients, while Mymensingh was allocated Tk 2.07 crore for 402 beneficiaries.

Other major allocations include Tk 1.33 crore for 266 patients in Narayanganj, Tk 1.31 crore for 263 patients in Sylhet, Tk 1.27 crore for 254 beneficiaries in Bogura and Tk 1.24 crore for 249 patients in Noakhali.

In Barishal, 175 patients will receive Tk 87.5 Lakh, while Tk 88 lakh has been allocated for 176 beneficiaries in Narsingdi, Tk 89 lakh for 178 patients in Khulna and Tk 91.75 lakh for 184 patients in Sunamganj.

Rajshahi division also received significant allocations. Rajshahi district was allocated Tk 99.25 lakh for 199 beneficiaries, Pabna Tk 99 lakh for 198 patients, Naogaon Tk 94.75 lakh for 189 patients and Sirajganj Tk 1.14 crore for 229 beneficiaries.

Patients living in the hill districts have also been brought under the programme. Rangamati received Tk 22 lakh for 44 patients, Bandarban Tk 16.5 lakh for 33 patients and Khagrachhari Tk 24.37 lakh for 49 beneficiaries.

Officials said the government has been implementing the programme for several years to ensure treatment support for poor patients living in remote and underserved areas of the country.

They noted that treatment costs for cancer and kidney diseases are particularly high, making it difficult for many patients to continue treatment. 

In this context, government assistance plays an important role in helping patients maintain access to essential healthcare services.

The DSS has instructed authorities concerned to strictly comply with relevant rules and regulations while utilizing the allocated funds.

The money can only be spent in accordance with the "Financial Assistance Programme Implementation Policy-2019 (Revised)" for patients suffering from cancer, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, paralysis due to stroke, congenital heart disease and thalassemia.

The order also warned that any irregularities or violations of the guidelines would make the concerned financial officers accountable.

The allocated funds must be utilized by June 30, 2026. Any unspent amount will have to be returned to the government treasury.

The order, signed by DSS Director General Shah Mohammad Mahbub, has been sent to all district and divisional social service offices, deputy commissioners, the Ministry of Social Welfare and the relevant banking authorities.

Officials expressed the hope that the assistance would not only ease the burden of treatment costs but also provide thousands of financially distressed families with renewed confidence and an opportunity to continue lifesaving treatment.

They described the programme as an important component of the government's social safety net initiatives aimed at ensuring healthcare support for poor and vulnerable people across the country.