Hazaribagh, July 29: A Hazaribagh NGO today launched a maiden scheme in the district and neighbouring Chatra, promising free healthcare to villagers in 28 blocks. Marksman Welfare Society, a city-based NGO, along with representatives of other organisations that it seeks to partner for Gramin Swasthya Sewa Pariyojna, inaugurated the project at Town Hall this afternoon. Marksman director Suvendu Jaipuriar said the first of its kind project in India would draw funds from various companies under corporate social responsibilities, adding that health outlets would be opened in the block headquarters, with three doctors to be deployed in each. In the 28 blocks of the two districts, the NGO had recruited panchayat sewaks who would distribute health cards to villagers, he added, promising to cover all the 259 blocks in Jharkhand by next year. The health cards will be valid for a year, while villagers will have to pay a nominal registration fee of Rs 10 for availing of free treatment at the outpatient department in the NGO’s outlets. “Since we lack outlets at the village level, villagers will have to come to the 200-bedded Dr Girja Shankar Prasad Memorial Super Speciality Marksman Hospital in Demotand for serious ailments,” Suvendu said. Any patient coming to the hospital won’t have to pay for accommodation even. We will also provide pathology services to patients under the project on a no-profit, no-loss basis,” he said. He told around 300 representatives of NGOs from across the state that selected organisations would be assigned the task of setting up centres, each for estimated funds of Rs 13 lakh. Marksman also aims to help breast cancer and cervical cancer patients by providing financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.