Aizawl, Dec 17: The Mizoram government is set to sign a loan agreement worth $108 million (around Rs 980 crore) with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen the state’s public healthcare system under its universal healthcare programme, Health Minister Lalrinpuii said on Tuesday.

The ADB approved the funding earlier this month for the project titled Supporting Public Healthcare System Strengthening to Achieve Universal Healthcare for Mizoram. Under the agreement, the Centre will bear 90 per cent of the loan repayment, while Mizoram will be responsible for the remaining 10 per cent over a 15-year period.

Addressing a press conference in Aizawl, Lalrinpuii said the loan would significantly reduce the financial burden on the state in implementing the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS). She added that once the agreement is signed, subject to confirmation of a date by the Ministry of Finance, an initial amount of Rs 21 crore will be released within a month based on Disbursement Linked Indicators.

The MUHCS was launched in March by the Zoram People’s Movement government led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma and became operational in April. The scheme provides cashless health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at government, empanelled private, and church-run hospitals.

Mizoram Health Care Society chief executive officer Lalhriatzuali Ralte said that 65,193 families have been registered under the scheme in the current financial year, including 36,323 families of government employees and 8,733 families of civil pensioners. In addition, over 2.20 lakh families covered under AB PM-JAY are also eligible for benefits.

According to official data, 59,602 beneficiaries have availed treatment under MUHCS so far, with government expenditure exceeding Rs 100 crore. Around 68.56 per cent of patients received treatment at state-run hospitals, accounting for 43.47 per cent of the total expenditure.

The health minister also highlighted ongoing infrastructure upgrades across the state. Zoram Medical College and Hospital is being expanded to 520 beds, with 40 cabins and 26 intensive care units, up from the existing 13. Aizawl Civil Hospital, the largest healthcare facility in Mizoram, is being upgraded under the Aizawl Smart City project.

She added that kidney transplant services are expected to begin at Aizawl Civil Hospital soon, with the operating theatre already prepared and staff scheduled to undergo training in Kolkata in January.