Yojana Magazine (September 2022): Universal Healthcare Coverage in J & K

Universal Healthcare Coverage in J & K: Introduction

•  There are several new initiatives being launched in J&K, which have helped in improving the infrastructure, and overall healthcare facilities. Through health schemes and new development projects, the healthcare sector in Jammu and Kashmir has made great strides, and several milestones have been achieved over the past few years in the state.
• In 2018, India launched Ayushman Bharat – one of the most ambitious health missions ever to expand Universal Health Coverage, especially in rural and vulnerable populations.
• This initiative has been designed to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its underlying commitment, which is to “leave no one behind.”
• Through this initiative Government of India has been working towards transforming the landscape of healthcare in Jammu & Kashmir as well.
• Through health schemes and new development projects, the healthcare sector in Jammu and Kashmir has made great strides, and several milestones have been achieved over the past few years in the state.

Universal Healthcare Coverage in J & K: What is UHC?

• UHC means that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.
• It includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care across the life course.
• The delivery of these services require adequate and competent health and care workers with optimal skills mix at facility, outreach and community level, and who are equitably distributed, adequately supported and enjoy decent work.

Universal Healthcare Coverage in J & K: Know About Ayushman Bharat

• Ayushman Bharat is an attempt to move from sectoral and segmented approach of health service delivery to a comprehensive need-based health care service.
• Ayushman Bharat aims to undertake path breaking interventions to holistically address health at primary, secondary and tertiary level.
• The aim is to provide essential health services throughout the country, through the four pillars of this programme:
  * Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)
  * Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
  * Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
  * Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

Universal Healthcare Coverage in J & K: Healthcare Schemes in Jammu and Kashmir

SEHAT Scheme

• In order to provide welfare measures for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the SEHAT Scheme was launched in convergence with Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• ABPMJAY SEHAT scheme is the worlds largest health insurance scheme fully financed by Government.
• Citizens with Ayushman Bharat Golden Card get free treatment up to Rs. Five lakh in all government and empanelled private hospitals across India.
• This ambitious health insurance scheme enables all the residents of J&K including employees and pensioners as well as their families to avail cashless quality healthcare services across public and empanelled private hospitals across India.
• The Samba district of the Jammu division became the first district in India to cover 100% households under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY)- SEHAT scheme.

Medical education in J&K

• Earlier there were only four medical colleges in Jammu & Kashmir, today seven new medical colleges have been established. Earlier there were 500 medical seats, now 2,000 students can pursue MBBS degree from J&K.
• Work is currently under progress on two All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Sambha and Awantipora at the cost of Rs. 2000 crore each. AIIMS at Sambha, Jammu and Awantipora, Kashmir shall be established by 2023 and 2025 respectively.
• Five Govt. Medical Colleges have been made functional at Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda and Kathua and classes have started in four Colleges for one year M.B.B.S Courses.

Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme

Under Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, Dialysis Centres were established/made functional at Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Kathua, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, Poonch, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Kupwara & Doda.

Health Care Investment Policy 2019

Health Care Investment Policy 2019 was adopted in UT of J&K for promoting private parties and entrepreneurs to set up health care infrastructure in UT of J&K. Two Medicities are being established, one each in Jammu and Kashmir. The operational guidelines are being finalised.

Universal Healthcare Coverage in J & K: Key Milestones in J & K healthcare

• The Neo-natal Mortality Rate (NNMR) of J&K has reached single digit at 9.8 per 1000 live births, recording a 13.3 point decrease.
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has declined to 16.3 with a decrease of 16 points.
• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) has declined to 18.5 with a decrease of 19 points.
• Sex Ratio at birth has also recorded an improvement from 923 to 976.
• Antenatal Check-ups (ANC) of pregnant mothers in the first trimester have increased from 76.7% to 86.6%.
• Institutional births have increased from 85.5% to 92.4%.
• Percentage of fully immunised children (12- 23 months) against vaccine preventable diseases has increased to 96.5% which is the second highest in the country.
• Life Expectancy at Birth in J&K has reached 74 years, which is highest in the country after Kerala and Delhi, while the national average is 69.4 years.

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