Analysis of Kurukshetra Magazine: Ayushman Bharat

Relevance

”GS 2 & GS 3: Government Policies & Interventions, Central Sector Schemes, Health, Human Resource”

Introduction

• As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), attaining the highest possible standard of health is a fundamental right of every human being.
• For achieving the targets of Universal Health Coverage, the Government of India has implemented a flagship public health scheme – ‘Ayushman Bharat’.

About Ayushman Bharat Scheme

• Based on the recommendations of National Health Policy, this scheme formulated and implemented in the country.
• It is envisaged that this initiative will help India in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); its mandate being “leave no one behind”.
• It aims to holistically address the healthcare system-covering prevention, promotion and ambulatory care at all levels – primary, secondary and tertiary.
• To enhance the quality, efficiency and efficacy of healthcare delivery, it draws expert services and facilities from various sectors/departments.

Two major components

• Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

Both these components work in tandem for supporting the objectives of prevention, treatment, management and overall well-being of the population with special emphasis on the vulnerable and resource-poor segments.

From where does the concept of universal health coverage (UHC) come from?

• It was first proposed by the Bhore Committee as early as 1946 highlighting that all individuals and communities should receive the health services they need without any economic stress.
• At global level, the Alma-Ata Declaration (1978) had emerged as a major milestone in the field of public health. It had identified primary health care as the key for attaining the goal of ‘Health for AII’ by the year 2000AD.

The salient features of AB-PMJAY

• It is the world’s largest Government funded health assurance scheme.
• It provides health assurance of up to Rs.5 Lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare hospitalizations.
• AB-PMJAY is a completely cashless and paperless scheme.
• The benefits under AB-PMJAY are portable across the country.
• There is no cap on family size, age or gender.
• The beneficiary families under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) have been identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 on the basis of select deprivation and occupational criteria across rural and urban areas.