Why in news?
The Government has announced two major initiatives in health sector, as part of newly announced Ayushman Bharat programme.
What are the provisions?
- The programme is aimed at making interventions to address health holistically, in primary, secondary and tertiary care systems.
- The initiatives under the programme are:
- Health and Wellness Centre
- National Health Protection Scheme
- Health and Wellness Centre - National Health Policy, 2017 envisioned Health and Wellness Centres as the foundation of India’s health system.
- Under this, 1.5 lakh centres will bring health care system closer to the homes of people.
- The centres will provide comprehensive health care, including for non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health services.
- These will also provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services.
- Contribution of private sector through CSR and philanthropic institutions in adopting these centres is also envisaged.
- National Health Protection Scheme - This will cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.
- This would translate to around 50 crore beneficiaries.
- The scheme provides coverage of upto Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- This is said to be the world’s largest government funded health care programme.
- Besides, 24 new Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals will be set up, by up-grading existing district hospitals in the country.
- This would ensure that there is at least 1 Medical College for every 3 Parliamentary Constituencies.
- Also, at least 1 Government Medical College in each State of the country.
- This is to further enhance accessibility of quality medical education and health care.
What is the significance?
- Lakhs of families, at present, borrow or sell assets to receive inpatient treatment.
- The concern of the consequent impoverishment of poor and vulnerable families is a continuing one.
- Under the existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), poor families get an annual coverage of Rs. 30,000.
- Several State governments have implemented or supplemented health protection schemes that provide varying coverage.
- The present initiatives will supplement these in taking health care to a larger mass.
- Higher health insurance cover is also seen as leading to a higher life expectancy.
- The scheme could potentially ensure enhanced productivity and well being, averting wage loss and impoverishment.
Source: The Hindu
