Asem Bhakta Singh
Northeast Correspondence
Imphal: The Paomee Welfare Foundation (PWF), a trust of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), has disbursed a total of Rs 2 lakh as medical financial assistance under Phase I of its Medical Financial Assistance (MFA) Scheme for 2026-27.
Meanwhile, the Foundation has invited applications for Phase II of the scheme, covering medical treatment expenses incurred between October 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
For Phase I, which covered medical expenses incurred from April 1 to September 30, 2026, the Foundation received six applications. Following scrutiny by its Medical Board and approval by the Board of Trustees, financial assistance was sanctioned to five beneficiaries.
However, an application submitted by Maibam Sonali Devi of Impact TV, seeking reimbursement of her father-in-law’s medical expenses, was rejected as the patient did not qualify as a dependent or immediate family member under the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
The cheque distribution ceremony was held at the Manipur Press Club on Monday in the presence of PWF Chairperson N. Tombiraj, Secretary Borun Thokchom and other executive members. AMWJU General Secretary Kwairakpam Naoba, Finance Secretary Leimapokpam Shanjitkumar and other trustee members attended the function.
Among the beneficiaries, Late Okram Homendro Singh of Poknapham and Late G. Naocha Sharma of Imphal Times were sanctioned Rs 50,000 each. Jessia Oinam of ISTV received Rs 28,000 for treatment of submucous fibroid.
Yensenbam Rajesh Singh of The Sangai Express was granted Rs 26,000 for treatment of chronic kidney disease, while Soubam Bukuljaoba Meitei received Rs 26,000 for treatment of hyponatremia and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
In addition, PWF handed over Rs 20,000 to AMWJU as reimbursement for immediate medical assistance previously extended towards the treatment of Late Gurumayum Naocha Sharma and Late Okram Homendro Singh. With this reimbursement, the total expenditure for Phase I amounted to Rs 2 lakh.
Launched in 2017, the MFA Scheme provides financial assistance to serving and retired bona fide members of AMWJU, with provision for one-time assistance to an eligible immediate family member.
The scheme operates on a six-monthly basis and is funded through the interest generated from PWF’s corpus fund of Rs 80 lakh, maintained as a fixed deposit with the State Bank of India.
Application notice: Eligible AMWJU members are invited to submit applications for Phase II covering medical expenses incurred from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
