Himanta Biswa Sarma
Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing a press conference in Guwahati. Image credit - Northeast Now

The Assam government will provide a one-time financial assistance to three categories of patients stranded outside the State due to the nationwide lockdown.

Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this a press conference in Guwahati on Friday.

Minister Sarma said the assistance will be provided to cancer patients and those who have gone for heart surgeries or kidney transplant.

The patients will have to call up a helpline – 0361-2558955 – with their details. Later, they will have to send their account details in a WhatsApp number 6901281862, he said.

“We have not yet decided the amount of financial assistance. It will depend on the number of beneficiaries,” Sarma said.

He said that the assistance will be provided after proper verification.

In Mumbai’s Assam Bhavan alone, there are 150 stranded cancer patients currently, Sarma added.