Congratulates the programme for improving access and affordability of healthcare in India and opening a pathway for a robust healthcare model in India
On the occasion of one year of effective and successful implementation of Ayushman Bharat scheme with its two critical components — Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (PMJAY) and Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), NATHEALTH congratulated the programme for improving access and affordability of healthcare in India and opening a pathway for a robust healthcare model in India which benefits all citizens.
“In a very short time, Ayushman Bharat has benefited millions in India directly and has clearly improve access, affordability and equity of healthcare. We need to scale this programme with quality and sustainability for all stakeholders. The focus needs to be on coverage of those who are outside the ambit of healthcare. Expansion of coverage to include to lower-middle and middle class needs to be a priority, going forward,” said Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, President, NATHEALTH.
With Public-Private Partnerships, (PPP), India can create a Health System that is sustainable and provides affordable, accessible and quality healthcare for masses and create skilled employment,” he added.
“Along with delivery and quality, for long-term sustainability, we need to adopt innovative funding models. Higher public spending in the form of budgetary allocation, India needs to attract strategic funding through various other internal and external sources to sustain not only Ayusham Bharat Mission but entire healthcare delivery system in the country. With adequate financing and funding to the sector, rural-urban gaps in quality and delivery systems can also be bridged,” said Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Secretary-General, NATHEALTH.
Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals and Founding President, NATHEALTH Healthcare Federation of India said, “My felicitations to the Government of India and the state administrators for making Ayushman Bharat, a stupendous success in just a year. As the world’s largest health insurance programme funded by the government, it has not only made medical care accessible to the underprivileged in India, but is also giving health and wellbeing a new direction in the country. An innovative programme, it will make our primary healthcare much more robust and the proposed population-level screening to detect diseases early is especially critical in the context of India’s rising NCD burden. Above all, good health is essential for happiness and Ayushman Bharat is the magic wand that will make it possible for every Indian!”
Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals and Sr Vice President NATHEALTH Healthcare Federation of India said, “It has been a transformational time for healthcare in India and the successes of Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY over the year have been truly spectacular. The path breaking initiative launched by our Prime Minister has been a game changer in making healthcare inclusive and all-encompassing. Its design has the inherent potential to protect millions who have been pushed into poverty due to catastrophic health expenses. Now as we stride ahead, we are hopeful that health insurance will be made mandatory for all, so that every Indian has the requisite financial cover and equal opportunity to a healthy life.”