Pune: PMC To Stop Financial Aid For GBS Treatment From March 1

Pune, 26th February 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will discontinue financial assistance for the treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) patients starting 1st March. Over the past month, several cases of GBS were reported in the Sinhagad Road area, including Nanded City, Kirkatwadi, Nandoshi, Dhayari, and DSK Vishwa.

Investigations revealed that contaminated water was the primary cause of the outbreak. In response, the PMC had provided financial aid under the Urban Poor Scheme, offering ₹2 lakh per patient for those qualifying under the scheme and ₹1 lakh for others. However, as the outbreak has now been brought under control and new cases are emerging only sporadically, the PMC has decided to halt the financial aid. Additionally, since GBS cases are detected throughout the year, it is not feasible to provide assistance to every patient, according to a proposal submitted by the administration.

Since 14th January, the PMC had limited financial assistance to patients in identified GBS hotspots. The cost of treatment ranges between ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh per patient, and given that contaminated water was a major contributor to the outbreak, the municipal body had taken responsibility for extending financial help.

A total of ₹49 lakh has been disbursed so far, with 12 patients under the Urban Poor Scheme receiving ₹24 lakh and 25 other patients receiving ₹1 lakh each, amounting to ₹25 lakh. The PMC’s health department confirmed that the assistance program will now be discontinued.