My friend’s child has been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder. The treatment is extremely expensive. Does the MJPJAY scheme in Maharashtra offer any coverage for such rare diseases?
Yes, as of 2025, the Maharashtra government has taken significant steps to provide financial support for the treatment of rare diseases. This is primarily done by integrating the state’s Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) with the central government’s National Policy for Rare Diseases.
Aligning MJPJAY with the National Policy for Rare Diseases
I was discussing this with a public health expert, and he explained how the system works. He said that the Government of India has a specific National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) which provides substantial financial aid for conditions that are very expensive to treat. The Maharashtra government uses the MJPJAY infrastructure to help eligible beneficiaries access the funds from this national policy.
How the Coverage for Rare Diseases Works
My friend, whose child was diagnosed with a rare disease, learned about the specific process. The treatment is not covered under the standard MJPJAY limit. Instead, the patient must seek treatment at a designated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for rare diseases. The financial assistance, which can be up to ₹50 lakh per patient, is provided through the central government’s rare disease fund, with the MJPJAY system helping to facilitate the cashless and administrative process.
The Focus on Specific, Listed Rare Diseases
The health expert also pointed out that this high-value financial support is not for every condition that is considered rare. The National Policy for Rare Diseases has a specific list of disorders that are eligible for this funding. He advised my friend that the first step is to consult with doctors at a Centre of Excellence, who can confirm if his child’s specific condition is on the list and help them with the formal application process.
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