Union Govt signs MoU with Himachal, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh; to ensure cashless health cover of Rs 5 lakh to 50 crore people
The Union Government has rolled out mega cashless and paperless healthcare plan Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission (PMRSSM) for poor from Shimla.
The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission is aimed to cover around 50 crore people (from about 10 crore families). The scheme is to provide services cashless and paperless upto Rs. 5 lakhs per year will be available for the beneficiary families at the point of service in both public and private empaneled hospitals across India. Beneficiaries under the scheme can also avail of services anywhere in India.
Four states viz. Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and UT Chandigarh signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Health Mission, Government of India to implement the mega healthcare plan at a regional workshop for northern States at Shimla.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda presided over the workshop. Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand, Brahm Mohindra, Health Minister, Punjab, Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, Health Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, Vipin Singh Parmar, Health Minister, Himachal Pradesh, Virender Kashyap, Member of Parliament were present, along with Dr Vinod Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW), InduBhushan, CEO, NHA and the Health Secretaries and Mission Directors of the States.
Interestingly Punjab, even though its Health Minister Brahm Mohindra was present at the workshop, refused to sign the MoU.
We are ensuring that healthcare is accessible, affordable and equitable: JP Nadda
Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that “we are witnessing history as the first MoU of Ayushman Bharat is being signed here. The scheme shall be a big game changer in the healthcare”. Nadda further said the initiatives undertaken by the Government eventually become the largest health programs of the world due to the sheer numbers in India. He cited TB and Leprosy elimination programs of the Government. “Through our programs and initiatives, we are ensuring that the healthcare is accessible, affordable and equitable,” Nadda said
The Union Health Minister reiterated Union Government commitment to provide quality health services and the Government is looking at it holistically. He said that PMRSSM will protect the people and at the same time Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) will deliver comprehensive primary health care. “The H&WC would provide preventive, promotive, and curative care for non-communicable diseases, dental, mental, geriatric care, palliative care, etc. The Government has initiated universal screening of common NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension and common cancers, which will eventually help in reducing the disease burden of the country.
Speaking at the function, Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh said that Ayushman Bharat in itself is a blessing. Thakur hoped that the mega healthcare plan will provide momentum to the Ayushman Bharat program of the government. He assured to take the program to every household.
Speaking at the occasion Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand said that Ayushman Bharat is going to be a revolutionary step in the healthcare and assured all the support for its implementation in the state. He added that as per the latest census 20 lakh families will be covered under this scheme in Uttarakhand.
Secretary Health and Family Welfare Government of India Preeti Sudan said that the role of the scheme would be consultative and the major role would be of the State Governments. She said that robust IT system was needed for ensuring transparency in implementation of this scheme. She said that the Centre Government would also provide all possible help to the State Governments for its implementation.
Member Health NITI Aayog Dr V.K. Paul said that being the largest health insurance scheme of the world, it requires great commitment and efforts to make it a success. He also stressed on strengthening of comprehensive primary health care facilities in the country.
