In a significant stride towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and provision of healthcare for all, India’s President inaugurated the Ayushman Bhav campaign and the Ayushman Bhava portal digitally. This initiative is designed to deliver health services to the remotest corners of the nation and enhance accessibility and affordability for underprivileged populations. The campaign also promotes awareness about essential health schemes and diseases, leveraging India’s digital inclusion efforts to extend healthcare accessibility.
The ‘Ayushman Bhav’ campaign will be enacted during the ‘Seva Pakhwada’, reflecting a nationwide and societal approach. The Seva Pakhwada is a fortnight-long initiative (running from September 17th to October 2nd, 2023) that aims to amplify essential health services programs at the state level.
How Ayushman Bhava Shapes India’s Healthcare Landscape?
The Ayushman Bhav campaign adopts a cooperative, multi-ministry approach aligning with the ethos of “”Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”” (Together with All, Development for All). This ideology emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring no one is left behind concerning healthcare access.
Three Key Components of Ayushman Bhava
1. Ayushman – Apke Dwar (AAD) 3.0: AAD 3.0 will enable qualified beneficiaries to create Ayushman cards for himself/herself or any family members, streamlining healthcare access and benefits.
2. Ayushman Melas at HWCs and CHCs: Health Melas and Medical Camps are established weekly at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Community Health Clinics (CHCs) prioritizing super-specialty healthcare services, including non-communicable disease screenings, tele-consultations, free medicines, and diagnostics.
3. Ayushman Sabhas: Ayushman Sabha is a community-level gathering led by the Village Health and Sanitation Committee (VHSNC) in rural areas or the Ward Committee/Municipal Advisory Committee (MAS) in urban wards. Its primary mission is to ensure comprehensive health coverage and optimal healthcare service delivery.
4. Ayushman Gram Panchayats: Gram Panchayats that successfully meet their healthcare objectives will be recognized as Ayushman Gram Panchayats, encouraging local participation and commitment.
Recent Government Initiatives Related to Healthcare
Various government initiatives related to healthcare include the National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), National Medical Commission, PM National Dialysis Programme, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
About National Nutrition Mission
National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, GoI. It ensures convergence with various programmes like Anganwadi services, National Health Mission, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Swachh-Bharat Mission, etc. The goals of National Nutrition Mission (NNM) are to achieve improvement in nutritional status of children aged 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers in a time bound manner during the next three years beginning 2017- 18.
NNM targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls), and reduce low birth weight of babies. However, there are no provisions relating to consumption of millets, unpolished rice, coarse cereals, and eggs under NNM. Therefore, it is clear that the objectives of National Nutrition Mission are to raise awareness about malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers, and reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls, and women.
