NHA CRITICISES STATES FOR HEALTH FACILITY DELAYS

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The National Health Authority has reprimanded eight states for failing to register public health facilities on the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission platform, crucial for national health digitization.

NHA CRITICISES STATES FOR HEALTH FACILITY DELAYSsource:scribd

About Registration Deadline and States Involvement:

  • The National Health Authority (NHA) has mandated that eight states complete the registration of public health facilities on the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) platform by September 30.
  • The states are Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Telangana, and Delhi.
  • Except for Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the other states have non-BJP governments.

Importance of Health Facility Registry (HFR):

  • The Health Facility Registry (HFR) is a crucial component of ABDM, which aims to establish a comprehensive digital health ecosystem.
  • HFR will serve as a national repository for health facilities, covering both public and private sectors, including hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.
  • The creation of HFR is the initial step towards digitising India’s health system.

Current Status and Future Goals:

  • Currently, 320,000 health facilities are registered in the HFR.
  • The completion of this registration is vital for integrating all health facilities into a unified digital platform, facilitating better health management and access across the country.
About The National Health Authority (NHA):

  • Administration of PMJAY: The National Health Authority (NHA) is proposed to oversee the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
  • Chairmanship and Structure: The NHA will be chaired by the Health Minister and will have the Aayog as its administrative body.
  • Autonomous Body: The NHA is envisioned as an autonomous entity, initially formed by an executive order.
  • Legislative Requirements: Formation requires resolutions from two or more state legislatures before Parliament can pass a law, due to health being a state subject (Article 252).
  • Reporting: The NHA will report directly to the Prime Minister’s office, reducing the Union Health Ministry’s role in the PMJAY scheme.

Key Government Initiatives Related to Healthcare:

  • National Health Mission: Aims to improve healthcare delivery across India, focusing on rural areas and vulnerable groups.
  • Ayushman Bharat: A flagship program to provide universal health coverage, including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for cashless health insurance.
  • National Medical Commission: Replaces the Medical Council of India to regulate medical education and practice.
  • PM National Dialysis Programme: Provides free dialysis services to those with renal disease in public hospitals.
  • Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Ensures free healthcare services for pregnant women and newborns in public facilities.
  • Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK): Focuses on early detection and treatment of health conditions in children from birth to 18 years.