Mizoram churches urged to fund health cover for poor under state scheme

The Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod has called on local congregations across the state to financially support underprivileged members in enrolling under the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS), aiming to expand access to healthcare among vulnerable sections.

In a recent circular, the Synod directed church committees to identify individuals unable to afford the scheme’s premium and utilise church resources to facilitate their enrollment. The move follows a resolution adopted during a meeting of Synod officers, emphasising that no member should be excluded from healthcare benefits due to poverty or hardship.

Church leaders said the initiative seeks to create a community-backed safety net, leveraging the strong grassroots presence of churches in Mizoram to bridge affordability gaps in public welfare schemes.

MUHCS, launched in 2025 and operational from April last year, offers annual health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh for cashless treatment at government and empanelled private hospitals, including select church-run facilities. Its second phase, MUHCS 2.0, was rolled out last month by Chief Minister Lalduhoma and became operational from April 1.

Under the scheme, general beneficiaries are required to pay annual premiums ranging from ₹2,500 for general ward treatment to ₹10,000 for private cabin facilities, while government employees contribute monthly based on salary slabs for broader coverage. Beneficiaries already enrolled under the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana are exempt from additional registration fees.

Officials indicated that more than 2.88 lakh families enrolled under the scheme during its first phase between April 2025 and March 2026, reflecting significant uptake. However, affordability continues to be a barrier for economically weaker sections, prompting the Synod’s intervention.

The Presbyterian Church holds a central role in Mizoram’s social fabric, and its directives are often widely followed at the community level. The latest appeal underscores the growing role of faith-based institutions in complementing government welfare initiatives, particularly in ensuring last-mile access to essential services such as healthcare.