24-10-2020 | 12:41 PM
AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR SCHEME
Context
On 19 October, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme to assist cooperatives to play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country. The National Cooperative Development Corporation, which is the apex autonomous development finance institution under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has formulated the scheme.
About the Ayushman Sahakar scheme
The scheme is a unique way which will assist cooperatives to play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in India.
Under the scheme, the NCDC would extend term loans to prospective cooperatives by 10,000 crores in coming years as the ongoing pandemic has brought into focus the requirement of creation of more facilities
The scheme would be providing a working capital and margin money to meet the operational requirements of the health facilities.
It also provides 1% of interest subvention to cooperatives, where women are in majority.
The NCDC fund will be accessible to any Cooperative Society with suitable provisions in its rules and regulations to conduct healthcare-related activities.
NCDC assistance will flow either through the State Governments/ UT Administrations or directly to the eligible cooperatives.
The framework of the NCDC has aligned itself with the National Health Policy, 2017.
It includes all facets of health systems, such as including investments in health, encouraging medical pluralism, organisation of healthcare services, providing farmers with affordable health care, access to technologies, development of human capital, etc.
The scheme comprises the comprehensive approach towards hospitals, healthcare, health insurance, nursing education, medical and paramedical education
Specifically, Ayushman Sahakar covers establishment, modernization, extension, repair, renovation of the hospitals and healthcare and education infrastructure, encompassing:
Health care services for elderly,
Palliative care services,
Health care services for Persons with Disabilities,
Mental healthcare services,
Emergency Medical Services / Trauma Centre,
Physiotherapy centre,
Hospitals and/ or Medical/ AYUSH/ Dental/ Nursing/ Pharmacy/ Paramedical/ Physiotherapy Colleges for running UG and /or PG programmes,
Yoga Wellness Centre,
Ayurveda, Allopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and other traditional medicine healthcare centres,
Mobile Clinic Services,
Health Club and Gym,
AYUSH pharmaceutical manufacturing,
Drug testing laboratory,
Dental care centre,
Ophthalmic care centre,
Laboratory services,
Diagnostics services,
Blood Bank / transfusion services,
Panchkarma/ Thokkanam/ Kshar sutra therapy centre,
Regimental Therapy of Unani (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer) centre,
Maternal health and Childcare services,
Reproductive and Child Health services,
Any other related centre or services as may be deemed fit by NCDC for assistance,
Telemedicine and remote assisted medical procedures,
Logistics health, healthcare and education,
Information and Communication Technology related to digital health,
Health insurance accredited by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).
NCDC was set up under an Act of Parliament in 1963 for promotion and development of cooperatives. It has extended around Rs.1.60 lakh crore as loans to cooperatives since 1963.
Significance of the scheme
The scheme will be a step towards strengthening farmers welfare activities by the Central Government.
The scheme would revolutionise the delivery of healthcare in rural areas.
The NCDC fund would give a boost to the provisions of healthcare services by cooperatives.
Ayushman Sahakar scheme fund will also assist the cooperative hospitals to take up medical or Ayush education.
In line with the National Digital Heath Mission launched by Honorable Prime Minister on 15th August, 2020, the NCDC’s Ayushman Sahakar will bring transformation in rural areas.
By virtue of their strong presence in rural areas, cooperatives utilizing the scheme will bring revolution in comprehensive health care services.
