New Delhi: Healthcare has been one of the key focus areas of the Modi government, Union Civil Aviation and Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that with holistic approach to healthcare, the government is focusing on health as well as wellness, by eliminating the factors responsible for illness and making treatment of diseases inclusive. “The amount of work which has been done in the health sector in India in the last 7-8 years has not been done in the last 70 years,” he said, as per official release.
“The last 8 years have been about augmenting health infrastructure, ensuring affordable and quality healthcare access to every Indian, and integrating technology with this sector,” Scindia added.
“Healthcare sector in India is being improved and strengthened on various fronts viz. providing affordable treatment and medicines; modern healthcare facilities at village level; development of human resources; promotion of preventive healthcare; and use of technology to enhance access to healthcare,” he added.
Govt ensuring quality essential health-care services
Modi government is ensuring access to quality essential health-care services and access to affordable medicines by putting the vision of ‘Antyodaya’ into action in healthcare, the minister said.
“Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) under Ayushman Bharat is world’s largest health insurance scheme fully financed by the government. PM-JAY is covering around 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (approx. 50 crore beneficiaries) for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.”
He said that number of Ayushman Cards generated is 17.6 crore, and over 28,800 Public and Private Hospitals have been empanelled.
8,800 Jan Aushadhi pharmacy outlets across India
“Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PM BJP) scheme is ensuring availability of over 1,800 affordable yet high-quality medicines in about 8,800 Jan Aushadhi pharmacy outlets are across India.”
Scindia said that Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres are being created to build sustainable primary health care with focus on wellness and the delivery of health services closer to the community. “With better facilities for testing in our villages, diseases will be detected for timely treatment.”
200 new medical colleges built in last 8 years
Scindia said that there were less than 400 medical colleges in the country before 2014 while more than 200 new medical colleges have been built in the country in the last eight years. “Government of India has given boost to medical education to ensure that it is within reach of everyone. There were only seven AIIMS which were providing health services before 2014. Under Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved.”
The minister said that there has been unprecedented awareness in the country regarding Yoga and Ayush. “The attraction for yoga has increased in the world. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has helped in the prevention of many diseases. The Poshan Abhiyan and Jal Jeevan Mission are helping in controlling malnutrition.”
Scindia added that due to use of technology, even a person living in a remote village is able to get initial consultation from the doctors of the cities. “National Telemedicine Service – eSanjeevani has used ICT to remotely enable diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has been launched to develop a robust digital technology backbone to support India’s integrated digital health infrastructure.”
