Home Knowledge Path to progress….Ayushmann Sahakar Scheme

Path to progress….Ayushmann Sahakar Scheme

by Madhavi Mihir Bhuta (BJP Mahila Morcha)
Jun 26, 2021
Path to progress….Ayushmann Sahakar Scheme, Knowledge, KonexioNetwork.com

Bharat’s per-dominantly rural economic structure and almost 80 % of the nation's population had been residing in villages, when the nation became independent in 1947.

The British rule had changed the social fabric and it impacted hugely on the economic structure of the society.

The exodus from the villages towards the urban area was most unplanned and as a result, the basic infrastructure of health care, education etc. was in doldrums.

The rural areas were fast being vacated, hence the efficient infrastructure of basic amenities were scarce.

The then Congress Governments did not really initiate any visionary planning to strengthen the health, education, waterways infrastructures of the rural area.

Eg. Amethi, in Uttar Pradesh, which has been a politically high profile area, lacked every basic framework related to good governance and health care.

Such practise, eventually resulted in widening the gap between urban and rural regions.

Post Modiji led the Government's advent at the Center, in 2014, Honorable Prime Minister initiated providing Electrification to the remotest areas, built construction of high-tech hospitals like AIIMS in smaller towns, Kendriya Vidyalaya reached far and wide.

Every step led to lessening the gap between Urban and Rural areas, resulting in decreasing flow of people migrating to cities.

But for the visionary Prime Minister, this was insufficient.

Hence, in line with the National Digital Health Mission,the Honorable Prime Minister launched NCDC’s Ayushmann Sahakar Scheme, on 15th August 2020 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest Welfare, with an aim to bring transformation in rural areas. The strong presence of Ayushmann Sahakar Scheme in the rural areas would bring revolution in the comprehensive health care system.

The significant features of Ayushmann Sahakar  Scheme :

A) The Scheme is formulated by the NCDC-National Co-Operative Development Corporation, the apex autonomous development finance institution.

B) The Scheme helps in boosting the healthcare services offered by the CO-operatives.

C) It specifically covers establishment, modernisation, expansion, repairs, renovation of the hospitals and healthcare and education infrastructure.

The Ayushman Sahakar Scheme has a comprehensive approach.It covers hospitals/healthcare centres/Medical institutes/Paramedical facilities such as Physiotherapy Colleges/Pharmacy/Dental institute/ Nursing College for running UG and PG programmes/Yoga Wellness Centres/Ayurveda /Homeopathy/Unani/Allopathy/Unani/Siddha and other traditional medicine healthcare centres.

It also includes Healthcare service for elderly/Palliative care services/Healthcare services for persons with disabilities/Mental healthcare services/ Emergency Medical services/Trauma Centers/ Health club and Gym/ Physiotherapy centres/Mobile clinic centres/ Ophthalmic care centres/ Laboratory services/ AYUSH pharmaceutical manufacturing/ Dentle care centres/ Diagnostic services/ Blood Bank/ Transfusion services/ Panchkarma/Thokkanam /Kshar sutra therapy centres/ Regimental Therapy of Unani (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer) centres/Maternal health and Childcare services/Reproductive and Child health services.

Any other related centres or services which may be deemed fit by NCDC for assistance would be included in the scheme.

Information and Communication technology related to digital health, Health Insurance accredited by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), Telemedicine and remote assisted medical procedure would be accomplished under the scheme.

Ayushmann Sahakar Fund would be made available by the National Cooperative Development Corporation, to any cooperative society with suitable provision to undertake healthcare related activities.

Term loans to prospective cooperatives to the tune of Rs.10,000 Crore would be provided.

To meet the requirements, working capital and margin money would also be provided to the cooperatives. In addition, the Interest subvention of 1 % to women majority co-operatives would be granted.

There are almost 52 hospitals across the country run by cooperatives, with a cumulative bed strength of more than 5000.

The COVID 19 pandemic has increased the need for the creation of more healthcare facilities.

The scheme aligns itself with the focus of the National Health Policy 2017, covering the health system in all their dimensions-investment in health, organisation of healthcare services, access to technologies, development of Human Resource’s, encouragement of medical pluralism, affordable healthcare to farmers etc.

The Cooperative Society with suitable provision in its bylaws to undertake healthcare related activities would be able to access the NCDC fund.

NCDC assistance would flow either through the State Governments/UT Administrations or directly to the eligible cooperatives. Subsidy/grant from the other sources can be dovetailed.

Narendra Modi Ji’s idea of administration has ensured that no section of society should be left out of ‘good governance’ benefits.

Healthcare and Education are primary facilities that the wholesome and holistic growth of a nation requires.

Narendra Modi ji led Bharat is on the verge of becoming Medical destination.

The beneficiaries who wish to avail the benefit of this scheme, should visit the official website of National Cooperative Development Corporation.

The option of ‘Common Loan Application Form’ would be visible on the Homepage of the website.

After furnishing all required details and documents, the form has to be submitted.