The Indian government has given the green light to the establishment of 22 new regional All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
About Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana
The PMSSY was introduced in 2003 to address and correct regional imbalances in terms of availability of reliable, affordable tertiary healthcare services. Additionally, the scheme aims to enhance facilities for quality medical education across the country. The nodal ministry for this initiative is the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
There are two key components to PMSSY. The first is the creation of AIIMS-like institutions. The second component involves the upgrade of government medical colleges in various states. The cost for each project for upgrading a medical college institution is shared between the Centre and the respective state.
Other Healthcare Initiatives in India
Aside from PMSSY, there are several other health initiatives previously introduced by the Indian government.
The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN) is a single non-lapsable reserve fund for Health that comes from the proceeds of Health and Education Cess.
PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Scheme was announced in the Union Budget of 2021-22. Its goal is to develop capacities of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health systems, including the most remote areas of the country. It aims to create a modern ecosystem for research, testing, and treatment within India.
The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is a complete digital health ecosystem with four key features: health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor and health facility registry.
Ayushman Bharat is a twofold approach: creating health and wellness centres to bring health care closer to homes and formulating the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) to protect poor and vulnerable families against financial risk resulting from catastrophic health episodes.
The National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 aims to provide healthcare in an “assured manner” to all, addressing both current and emerging challenges arising from socio-economic, technological, and epidemiological changes.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), stores have been set up to provide generic drugs at lesser prices but maintain the same quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
The National Health Mission was launched by the Indian government in 2013, integrating the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission. Its main programmatic components include strengthening the health system in rural and urban areas, focusing on Reproductive-Maternal-Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and communicable and non-communicable diseases.