9-Feb-2021: Strengthening National Urban Health Mission
National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was approved in May, 2013 as a sub-mission under National Health Mission (NHM) for providing equitable and quality primary health care services to the urban population with special focus on the slum and vulnerable population. States have the flexibility regarding implementation of NUHM through their State Health Department or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Since its launch, there has been a gradual increase in terms of financial and physical progress reported by the States. So far, an amount of Rs. 6493.28 Crore has been released under the mission. Support has been provided for strengthening of total of 5430 facilities (5246- UPHCs and 184 UCHCs) in urban areas, construction of 807 new UPHCs and 86 new UCHCs. A total of 3692 Medical Officers, 506 Specialists and 36,037 para-medical staff have been approved. 77,019 ASHAs and 93,600 MAS have also been approved under the Programme.
Under Ayushman Bharat (AB) which was launched In 2018 with twin components of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and Setting up of AB-Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) made operational as HWCs with expanded range of services.
There has been continuous endeavor on the part of the government to strengthen NUHM implementation in the States/UTs. Regular reviews, consultations and Video Conferences have been organized with the States/UTs to monitor their financial and physical progress. Also, Ministry has been providing continuous technical support and guidance to the States/UTs for strengthening of services under NHM, including NUHM. From time to time guidelines, brochures on thematic areas have been developed and shared with the States/UTs. Training and capacity building is also being supported besides regular team visits to the States.
5-Feb-2021: Skill Training Centre for Emergency Medical Services
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, under its Central Sector Scheme, ‘Human Resource Development for Emergency Medical Services’, has provision for setting up 140 Skill Centres to be established in government medical colleges across India to impart skills on life saving interventions.
Under the said scheme, 17 such Skill Centers have been proposed to be set up in Uttar Pradesh. Of these nominations for 11 Skill centres by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh have been received so far.
This is a Central Sector Scheme under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, where setting up of skill centers is 100% funded by the Central Government.
For each skill centers, funds to the tune of Rs. 2.60 to 2.90 crores (depending on the location) are released to Government Medical Colleges/ Institutions subject to their recommendation by the concerned state government. The funds allocated is for infrastructure and procurement of training equipment.
So far, 82 medical colleges have been granted funds to the tune of Rs. 121 Crores.
26-Dec-2020: PM launches Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT to extend coverage to all residents of Jammu & Kashmir
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT to extend coverage to all residents of Jammu & Kashmir today through video conference. Union Ministers, Shri Amit Shah, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Dr Jitendra Singh and Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha were present on the occasion. The Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries from the region. He also recalled the special bond that Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had with Jammu and Kashmir and said that the former Prime Minister’s dictum of ‘insaniyat, jamhuriyat and Kashmiriyat’ will always be there to guide us.
Talking about the Jammu and Kashmir Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT scheme, the Prime Minister said getting free treatment up to 5 lakh rupees under this scheme would improve the ease of living. Right now about 6 lakh families of the state are getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. All 21 lakh families will get the same benefit after the SEHAT scheme. He added another benefit of this scheme would be that treatment is not limited to government and private hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir only. Rather, treatment can be availed from thousands of hospitals empanelled under this scheme in the country.
The Prime Minister termed the extension of the coverage of Ayushman Yojna to all the residents as historic and expressed happiness seeing Jammu and Kashmir take these steps for the development of its people. Shri Modi said that the development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the biggest priorities of his government. “Whether it is about women empowerment, opportunities for the youth, upliftment of the dalits, exploited and deprived or it is the question of the constitutional and fundamental rights of the people, our government is taking decisions for the welfare of the people”, the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir for strengthening democracy. He said the election of the District Development Council has written a new chapter. He complimented the people for reaching the voting booth despite the cold and corona. Shri Modi said, that on the face of every voter in Jammu and Kashmir, there was an expectation for development. He said that he saw the belief of a better future in the eyes of every voter in Jammu and Kashmir. These elections in Jammu and Kashmir also showed the strength of democracy in our country. One the other hand, the Prime Minister pointed out that despite the Supreme Court's order in Puducherry, panchayat and municipal elections are not happening. This despite the fact that the tenure of those elected has ended in the year 2011.
The Prime Minister said during the pandemic about 18 lakh LPG cylinders were refilled in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 10 lakh toilets were built in Jammu and Kashmir under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Its purpose is not limited to just building toilets, it is also an attempt to improve people's health. Along with the rural road connectivity, efforts are on for providing piped water to every household in Jammu and Kashmir within next 2-3 years, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said the setting up of IIT and IIM in Jammu and Kashmir would help in providing quality higher education to the students here. He said two AIIMS and two cancer institutes are also being built in Jammu and Kashmir. Paramedical students will also get training in these institutes.
The Prime Minister said the youths of Jammu and Kashmir are easily getting loans and moving on the path of peace. The people who are living in Jammu and Kashmir for many years are now getting domicile certificates. People of economically weaker sections in general category are getting reservation now so are the hill dwellers and people living in border areas.
24-Dec-2020: PM to launch Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT to extend coverage to all residents of J&K on 26 December
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT to extend coverage to all the residents of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on 26th December 2020 at 12 noon via video conferencing. The scheme will ensure Universal Health Coverage and focus on providing financial risk protection and ensuring quality and affordable essential health services to all individuals and communities. Union Home Minister and Lieutenant Governor of J&K will also be present on the occasion.
The Scheme provides free of cost insurance cover to all the residents of the UT of J&K. It provides financial cover upto Rs 5 lakh per family on a floater basis to all residents of the UT of J&K. It provides for operational extension of PM-JAY to 15 lakh (approx.) additional families. The scheme will operate on insurance mode in convergence with PM-JAY. The benefits of the scheme will be portable across the country. The hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY scheme shall provide services under this scheme as well.
Achieving Universal Health Coverage: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care and enables everyone to access the services, protecting people from the financial consequences of paying for health services out of their own pockets and reducing the risk that people will be pushed to poverty. The Ayushman Bharat program, with its two pillars – Health and Wellness Centres and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna – is envisaged to achieve UHC.