'A patient admitted to a hospital on an average spends about Rs.500 per day, buying medicines not available in the stores, or on attendants. Our financial assistance will provide some relief,' Sarma said.

Earlier this year, the Assam government announced a series of novel health packages including a Rs.1.8 billion scheme to do away with the traditional gender bias by offering financial assistance to the girl child and radical measures to improving the health of would-be mothers.

Under a scheme named 'Majoni' (Assamese for little girls), a new-born girl child would be given a fixed deposit instrument worth Rs.5,000 while a would-be mother would get Rs.1,000 in cash - Rs.500 each during the first two check-ups.

'Half the fixed deposit of Rs.5,000 can be encashed by the girl when she attains the age of 16 and the full amount when she turns 18,' the minister said.

Assam has also launched an ambitious family planning scheme. Couples choosing not to have babies for two years after marriage will get Rs.5,000 and those who opt not to have children for three years will get Rs.7,500.