Central Government Prioritizes Affordable Healthcare: JP Nadda
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Synopsis
Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized the central government's commitment to providing affordable and quality healthcare to the poor, highlighting the initiatives under Ayushman Bharat and the significant increase in healthcare spending since 2014.
Key Takeaways
- Healthcare spending increased from 29% to 48% since 2014.
- Ayushman Bharat has two main pillars: Ayushman Arogya Mandir and AB PMJAY.
- Focus on screening for diseases and preventive healthcare.
- Call for enhancing the capacity of health administrators and community workers.
- Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a key goal.
New Delhi, April 21 (NationPress) Union Health Minister JP Nadda stated on Monday that ensuring affordable and quality healthcare for every underprivileged individual in the nation is a central government priority. The two key components of the Ayushman Bharat initiative – Ayushman Arogya Mandir and AB PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) – are outcomes of a thoroughly considered strategy.
While addressing attendees at an event in the national capital, the minister noted that the government’s healthcare expenditure has risen from 29 percent in 2014 to 48 percent today, resulting in a reduction of out-of-pocket expenses for citizens.
He mentioned that the screening of both communicable and non-communicable diseases within Ayushman Arogya Mandir and the expansion of services provided there have been instrumental in promoting preventive and promotive healthcare, especially in light of the increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases.
“Health facilities are being encouraged to conduct self-assessments under the Indian Public Health Standards 2022 and National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS),” Nadda remarked.
The Union Health Minister further emphasized the necessity of enhancing the capabilities of health administrators to facilitate timely and effective decision-making, improve program implementation plans, boost the capacity of ASHA workers and community health workers, as well as strengthen and institutionalize the hub-and-spoke model of digital health intervention along with monitoring and assessing health impacts.
Nadda urged young officials to conduct an impact survey to evaluate the benefits arising from the Health Ministry’s programs at the grassroots level.
During the event, Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, noted that the driving force behind the current health paradigm is achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare without facing financial difficulties.
He added that health coverage now encompasses not just curative treatment but also promotive, preventive, palliative, rehabilitative, and therapeutic care.
“As many as 90 percent of essential interventions for UHC can be delivered through primary healthcare systems,” and “an estimated 75 percent of projected health gains under the SDGs can be achieved through primary healthcare systems,” Paul elaborated.
He pointed out that nations with robust primary healthcare systems enjoy higher life expectancy, better health outcomes, reduced medication use, and overall lower medical expenses. Dr. Paul emphasized that, thanks to AB PMJAY, hospitalization rates in India have surged by 40 percent.
