No more free treatment for alcoholics and smokers [December 10 2010]

Patients who sought treatment for alcohol and smoking related illnesses will be charged a free for medical treatment at state hospitals from this month.

The Health Ministry will commence a system where the patient needs to pay for his medication if proves his illness was due to either alcohol or smoking cigarettes.

Ministry sources said this decision was taken as over 350 people die due to diseases related to alcohol, smoking and drugs.