National Health Authority will be an autonomous organisation for the implementation of PMJAY
Marking a paradigm shift in the country’s health sector, health minister J P Nadda on Tuesday inaugurated the National Health Authority on Tuesday. This effectively takes the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) out of the ambit of the ministry of health, paving the way perhaps for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country at a future date.
Launched on September 23 by prime minister Narendra Modi, PMJAY entitles 10.74 crore families to an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh. The authority will have the autonomy to enter into memoranda of understanding with states and also negotiate prices with the private sector; the latter function was earlier performed by the directorate general of health services.
So far 1,23,64,048 PMJAY cards have been issued which means the scheme has so far reached just about one tenth of its targeted population of 50 crore
The World Health Organisation defines UHC as a system where “all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship.”
On the occasion, Nadda also unveiled a mobile application for PMJAY beneficiaries that will help them locate the nearest hospital and also get them assistance if required. So far 1,23,64,048 PMJAY cards have been issued which means the scheme has so far reached just about one tenth of its targeted population of 50 crore. That is why the government is in the process of tying up with companies such as Uber, OYO, Swiggy and Zomato in order to reach out to their staff.
Uber, with whom NHA is due to sign an MoU, alone has 5 lakh drivers – which means 25 lakh people at an average family size of five. NHA also wants to reach out to delivery boys of food delivery apps and the cleaning and housekeeping staff of hotels.
