President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Ayushman Bhav campaign and Ayushman Bhava portal virtually from Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This initiative is a significant stride towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and providing accessible and affordable healthcare to underserved populations. The campaign adopts a multi-ministerial approach to extend healthcare services to remote areas, emphasizing community involvement through Gram Panchayats. An upcoming Seva Pakwada from September 17th to October 2nd, 2023, aims to saturate essential health services. Key components include Ayushman – Apke Dwar 3.0, Health Melas, Medical Camps, organ and blood donation campaigns, and TB eradication efforts. Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) supports UHC through digital health services, including unique health account numbers and healthcare professional registries.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Universal Health Coverage (UHC): UHC is a healthcare system where all individuals and communities receive quality health services without financial hardship. It ensures access to essential healthcare services for everyone.
- Gram Panchayats: Gram Panchayats are local self-governing bodies in rural India responsible for local administration, development, and grassroots-level governance.
- Seva Pakwada: Seva Pakwada is an initiative aimed at providing essential health services and achieving sustainable development goals. It runs from September 17th to October 2nd, 2023.
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): ABDM is a digital ecosystem supporting UHC in India. It includes features such as unique health account numbers, healthcare professionals’ registry, health facility registry, a mobile app, unified health interface, and a sandbox for testing.
- Teleconsultation: Teleconsultation refers to remote healthcare consultations conducted via technology, allowing patients to consult with healthcare professionals without physical presence, often using video calls or other digital platforms.