Over 77,000 hospital admissions valued at Rs 87 crore approved for mental health packages under AB-PMJAY: Government
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The government has approved over 77,000 hospital admissions under the Ayushman Bharat scheme for mental health packages, totaling Rs 87 crore. This initiative aims to enhance mental healthcare accessibility and affordability across India.
Key Takeaways
- Over 77,000 hospital admissions for mental health approved.
- Rs 87 crore allocated under AB PM-JAY for mental health packages.
- 22 mental health procedures included in Health Benefit Package.
- Flexibility for states to customize mental health services.
- Enhancements in mental healthcare facilities at primary level.
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) Under the flagship Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), more than 77,634 hospital admissions valued at Rs 87 crore have been approved for mental health packages, the government announced on Tuesday.
In a written response in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav stated that "77,634 hospital admissions worth Rs 87 crore have been authorised" as of March 21.
The latest national master of the Health Benefit Package (HBP), under the AB PM-JAY, offers cashless healthcare for "1961 procedures across 27 medical specialties".
This encompasses "22 procedures under the mental disorder specialty such as intellectual disability, schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder, delusional disorders, autism spectrum disorder, among others, for eligible beneficiaries," Jadhav mentioned.
States have been granted flexibility to tailor the HBP to their local contexts.
Moreover, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued a master circular on health insurance business on May 29, 2024, directing insurers to offer a broader selection of products that cater to all sorts of existing medical conditions, pre-existing diseases, and chronic conditions.
Insurers are also required to provide products that comply with the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, as stated by the MoS.
In accordance with these provisions, products are available in the market that offer coverage for mental illness based on the respective product designs from different insurers, Jadhav pointed out.
Additionally, the MoS highlighted that to ensure affordable and accessible mental healthcare across the nation, the government is executing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP).
The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), a component of the NMHP, has been approved for implementation in 767 districts, with support provided to states and UTs through the National Health Mission, Jadhav noted.
Facilities available under the DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels include outpatient services, assessments, counseling/psycho-social interventions, continuous care and support for individuals with severe mental disorders, and medication, among others.
Additionally, provisions for 10-bedded inpatient facilities at the district level have been established, Jadhav added.
The government is also taking measures to enhance mental healthcare services at the primary healthcare level. Over 1.75 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and PHCs have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders (MNS) have been integrated into the service packages offered at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Jadhav confirmed.
Under the tertiary care component of the NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been established to increase student intake in PG departments specializing in mental health and to provide tertiary level treatment facilities, he stated.
Furthermore, the Centre has also aided 19 government medical colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 PG departments in mental health specialties.
