(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) A SAFETY NET FOR ALL: INDIA SCALES HEALTHCARE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

(NOVEMBER-2024)

A SAFETY NET FOR ALL: INDIA SCALES HEALTHCARE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

Context:

Annually, 100 million individuals globally are driven into poverty due to overwhelming healthcare costs. Approximately 800 million people allocate more than 10% of their household expenditure to health services, underscoring the worldwide demand for universal healthcare frameworks.

ILO Report Insights:

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) World Social Protection Report 2020-2022 reveals that merely two-thirds of the global populace has access to social health protection programs.
Developing nations typically exhibit minimal coverage, emphasizing the necessity for these countries to enhance social health protections to mitigate the increasing financial strain on their citizens.

India’s Economic Health Strain:

In India, 60 million individuals face financial difficulties annually due to unforeseen medical costs.
Government initiatives have decreased Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 47.1% in 2019-20, considerably easing the financial pressure on Indian families.

The Significance of Health Equity:

India’s Status and Economic Advancement: India ranks as the fifth-largest global economy and has experienced impressive economic growth. However, sustainable development necessitates inclusive strategies to unite communities.
Systematic Health Disparities: Long-standing inequalities frequently confine marginalized groups within cycles of poverty, affecting their access to vital services. Targeted policy measures aimed at dismantling these barriers are crucial for achieving health equity, creating opportunities for previously marginalized populations to obtain superior health outcomes.

National Health Mission (NHM):

Under the NHM, the government, in partnership with states and UTs, provides affordable and accessible healthcare.
NHM delivers complimentary primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services at government facilities, striving for universal health coverage.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY:

Introduced in 2018, this leading healthcare initiative offers up to ₹5 lakh in health insurance coverage per family per annum for secondary and tertiary medical care.
Funded by the government, the program is accessible in both public and private hospitals, guaranteeing that essential healthcare requirements are fulfilled at no cost for all qualifying citizens.

Key Highlights and Statistics of Ayushman Bharat

Beneficiary Outreach: As of September 2024, the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY initiative has issued over 35 crore Ayushman cards, facilitating 7.79 crore hospital admissions.
Telemedicine (e-Sanjeevani): The e-Sanjeevani OPD platform has enabled 22 crore consultations, especially aiding those in remote areas by closing geographical and healthcare disparities.

Comprehensive Health Initiatives
Jan Aushadhi Kendras: With 11,096 active outlets nationwide, these provide medicines at 50-90% reduced prices, resulting in over ₹25,000 crore savings for citizens on vital medications.
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP): Through vigorous efforts, NTEP has achieved a 16% decrease in TB incidence and an 18% drop in TB mortality from 2015 to 2022.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): With the aim of enhancing maternal health, PMMVY provides financial incentives to mothers for their first child, distributing ₹14,888 crore to 3.32 crore beneficiaries.

Inclusive Healthcare for Underrepresented Groups

Emphasis on Women and Seniors: Almost 49% of the Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries are women, showcasing gender inclusivity. The initiative also guarantees ₹5 lakh annual coverage for individuals aged 70 and above, reaching 54.5 crore families to meet the needs of the elderly.
Support for the Transgender Community (Ayushman Bharat TG Plus Card): The Ayushman Bharat TG Plus Card offers extensive healthcare coverage for transgender individuals, including sex reassignment surgeries and cosmetic procedures. India stands among the pioneers globally in providing such targeted healthcare coverage, reflecting its dedication to inclusive health services.

ESIC: Reinforcing Workforce Health Security

Enlargement of ESIC Benefits: In May 2024, 223.05 lakh new employees enrolled in the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme. Recent strategies aim to enhance medical facility access, launch nursing programs, and broaden ESIC hospital frameworks for improved healthcare availability.
New Hospital Infrastructure: Plans are underway to build 105 additional ESIC hospitals across India, with proposals for 50-bed ESIC AYUSH hospitals at each major ESIC hospital, significantly enhancing the infrastructure for employee health services.

Technological Advancement in Healthcare

Digital Health Framework: Initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Aarogya Setu, eSanjeevani, and eHospital have revolutionized India’s healthcare environment by connecting patients, providers, and facilities nationwide.
ABDM is poised to establish a strong national digital health framework, ensuring the secure and easy availability of patient data across all healthcare services.

e-Rakt Kosh:

The integrated blood bank management system aids in effectively overseeing and monitoring blood supplies across the country, crucial for timely healthcare service delivery.

Social Security and Health Infrastructure

Food Security and Social Welfare:

PM Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana and PM Ujjwala Yojana offer affordable food and LPG connections, essential for nutritional security and access to cooking fuel.
The Jal Jeevan Mission and PM Awas Yojana ensure access to clean water and affordable housing, enhancing the overall social security framework for Indian citizens.

Conclusion:

India is emerging as a leading hub for international medical value travel by integrating traditional and contemporary medicine, advocating the principle of One Health, One Earth.