• UGI USER
  • Sep 16, 2023
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May all be free of Illness.

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  • GS-2: Issues Relating to the Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources.
  • Tags: #AyushmanBhav #HealthcareForAll #UniversalHealthCoverage #PMJAY #AyushmanApkeDwar #UPSC #IndianExpress #CurrentAffairs.

Why in the News?

Ayushman Bhav, a campaign launched by President Droupadi Murmu aims to boost India’s universal healthcare coverage through comprehensive initiatives and grassroots engagement.

Ayushman Bharat: Transforming Healthcare for All

  • Launched in 2018 under PM Modi’s leadership, Ayushman Bharat strives to offer universal healthcare regardless of location or economic status.
  • This holistic program spans primary, secondary, and tertiary care through Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
  • It emphasizes prevention and promotion, revolutionizing healthcare in India.

Ayushman Bhav: Campaign for Healthcare Access. It includes

  • Comprehensive coverage.
  • Raising awareness about PM-JAY.
  • Creating health account IDs.
  • Delivering healthcare services like disease screenings and management for various illnesses in both villages and urban areas.
  • This initiative strives to ensure equitable healthcare access for all.

Objectives: Ayushman Bhav

  • Reach 45 lakh villages and 2.55 lakh gram panchayats.
  • Embrace the antyodaya principle for universal health coverage.
  • Activities like sewa pakhwada, including organ donation, cleanliness drives, and blood donation initiatives, will be organized to achieve these goals.

This campaign aims to leave no one behind in the pursuit of healthcare access.

Ayushman Bhav Campaign’s Core Pillars

  • Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0: Building on its earlier versions (1.0 and 2.0), this pillar expands Ayushman card distribution, enhancing the use of Ayushman Bharat services for broader coverage.
  • Ayushman Sabha: Led by village health, sanitation, and nutrition committees (VHSNCS), these sabhas raise awareness about various healthcare schemes and services available in India.
  • Ayushman Mela: An efficient platform to address diverse health concerns and reach a wide audience, boosting healthcare service utilization.

These pillars strengthen healthcare service delivery, broaden Ayushman Bharat’s reach, and promote comprehensive coverage, collaborative awareness-building and community-centered efforts.

Ayushman-Apke Dwar Initiative

  • Starts on September 17 – 31 December
  • Goal: Provide Ayushman cards to approximately 60 crore beneficiaries under the PM-JAY scheme.
  • Primary Objective: Ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their Ayushman cards, guaranteeing access to affordable healthcare services.
  • Every eligible family in India will be registered for Ayushman cards.

Ayushman Sabhas: Promoting Healthcare Awareness

  • Focus Area: Villages and urban wards.
  • Purpose: Provide a platform for citizens to learn about diseases, express healthcare concerns, and enhance social accountability.

Key Activities

  • Distributing PM-JAY cards.
  • Showcasing empanelled hospitals.
  • Creating Ayushman Bharat Health Account IDs.
  • Conducting disease screening services.
  • Organizing awareness talks on various diseases.
  • Participants: MPs/MLAs, PM-JAY beneficiaries, Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres beneficiaries, tuberculosis champions, and more.
  • Aim: Motivate the community to actively engage in healthcare awareness and improvement.

Ayushman Melas – Extending Healthcare Access

  • Organise: Weekly at 16 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in villages.
  • Also organized at community health centres by block-level medical colleges.
  • Target Audience: Vulnerable and impoverished populations.

Specialized Services Offered

  • ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) care.
  • Eye care.
  • Psychiatric care.

Objectives

  • Enhance access to specialized healthcare.
  • Build trust between the community and the health system.
  • Improve health-seeking behavior and literacy.
  • Foster greater engagement with medical colleges.
  • Extend healthcare services to all individuals in need.
  • Aim: Ensure comprehensive healthcare access for every person, especially those in need.

Transforming Villages and Urban Wards

Goal: Transform every village and urban ward into an Ayushman Gram Panchayat or Ayushman Urban Ward. Promote holistic and sustainable development at the grassroots level.

  • Objective: Villages achieving 100% coverage of selected schemes under each pillar.

Pillars Include

  • Ayushman card distribution.
  • Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID generation.
  • Population-based disease screening.
  • Testing and treatment for communicable and non-communicable. diseases.Empowering communities for better healthcare and overall well-being.

Commitment to Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage

In line with ancient wisdom and the vision of Pradhan Sevak Narendra Modi, the pursuit of comprehensive healthcare coverage is not just a goal but a commitment to humanity.

As reflected in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad,

“Sarve bhavantu sukhinah ,Sarve santu niramayah

Sarve bhadrani pashyantu, Makashcid duhkha bhagbhavet”

(the aim is for everyone to be happy, free from illness, and blessed with positivity).

“Ayushman Bhav” embodies this commitment, aiming to ensure robust health for every citizen and the entire nation. It reflects a constant dedication to delivering healthcare and fostering a healthier future for all.

Source: Indian Express

Mains Question

What are the key pillars of the Ayushman Bhav initiative, and how do they contribute to expanding healthcare services in the country?