The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet has approved three major initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare and social protection, combating drug and substance abuse, and intensifying the fight against tuberculosis (TB) through a 30-day statewide integrated health campaign.
The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, approved the launch of CM CARES (Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Action for Resilient, Equitable & Healthy State) as an umbrella initiative to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare, financial protection, and integrated social support services across the state. Under CM CARES, existing flagship programmes will be strengthened, including the Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAAY), CM Organ Transplant Services, CM Health Emergency Life Protection Services, CM Free Chemotherapy Services, and CM Social Security Schemes.
The initiative will expand patient support infrastructure through guesthouses and referral services, besides strengthening early screening and intervention for childhood development disorders, including autism spectrum disorder. Financial assistance under CMAAY for kidney, liver, and bone marrow transplants will be increased by Rs 2.5 lakh each over the existing coverage. Specialised healthcare services, including cochlear implantation and corneal transplantation, will also be covered.
The government also seeks to shift focus from treatment to prevention, health promotion, and overall well-being through the Holistic Ecosystem for Active Living and Wellness (HEAL) framework. Additionally, the Cabinet launched Mission SURAKSHA (State Unified Response Against Drugs, Substance Harm & Addiction), a comprehensive framework to tackle substance abuse and its impact on youths, mental health, HIV, families, and community safety.
In another major decision, the Cabinet approved the Ayushman Aarogya Shivir, a 30-day statewide campaign of integrated health camps aimed at taking preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare services to people, particularly in remote areas. The campaign will focus on achieving the goal of TB Mukt Arunachal Pradesh through intensified screening, early detection, and timely treatment.
The camps will provide services related to TB elimination, maternal and child health, immunisation, non-communicable disease screening, mental health, eye and oral healthcare, elderly care, nutrition, and AYUSH, besides facilitating Ayushman Bharat enrolment.
