Title: “Union Cabinet Approves Rs. 23,123 Crore Package To Enhance Emergency Response and Healthcare Systems”
The Union Cabinet recently approved a package worth Rs. 23,123 crore with the main objective to escalate emergency response and revamp healthcare systems. The financial package includes provisions for 20,000 additional intensive care unit (ICU) beds and the establishment of paediatric units in every district. This move comes in anticipation of a potential third wave of Covid-19 in India.
Background
In March 2020, as India grappled with the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Central Sector Scheme launched a Rs. 15,000 crore package named “India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package”. This program aimed to support the initiatives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare alongside state and union territory efforts, and stimulate health system activities for effective pandemic management. However, since mid-February 2021, the country has been battling a second wave which has penetrated rural, peri-urban, and tribal areas.
Phase II of the Package
The Phase-II of the package includes Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) components. The Union government fully finances the central sector schemes, while the centrally sponsored schemes are collaboratively funded by both the Centre and the states. The implementation of this phase is scheduled from July 1st, 2021 to March 31st, 2022.
Purpose of the Package
The package aims to fund paediatric units across all 736 districts and establish 20,000 ICU beds with 20% being “hybrid,” i.e., to be used by both adults and children. Amidst growing concerns about a third wave of Covid-19 having a more profound impact on children, this move offers some reassurance. The plan seeks to prevent the issues observed during the second wave, such as oxygen transport difficulties and medicine shortages. The Centre will offer support to its hospitals, All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, and other institutes of national importance for repurposing 6,688 beds specifically for Covid-19 management.
Additional Provisions
The package also aims to equip the National Centre for Disease Control with genome sequencing machines. It outlines expansion plans for the national telemedicine platform, eSanjeevani, by increasing daily consultations from the current 50,000 to 5 lakhs. States will receive support to conduct a minimum of 21.5 lakh tests per day and add 8,800 ambulances to their existing fleet.
(Source: PIB)
