Insights from Vijaya Srivastava, SPL Secretary, Health Ministry

The National Health Protection Scheme:

• Aims to support underprivileged & vulnerable families
• Has a larger reach than its predecessor, the Rashtriya Swasthiya Bhima Yojana
• Provides increased coverage, from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh
• Uses SECC data to identify beneficiary families

Thoughts from Aditi Tandon, Tribune Correspondent

The current state of healthcare in India:

• Narayan Murthy of Infosys once said that health is the Achilles heel of the Indian economy, often slowing down economic growth.
• The government has taken significant steps to address this issue.
• The healthcare budget has seen an increase of about 11.50% over the previous one.
• Several important programs like the National Health Policy and the maternity bill have been introduced.

Implementation models suggested by Aditi Tandon

Two potential models for implementing the scheme:

• Insurance – Public or Private
• Trust model – Successfully implemented in states like Andhra Pradesh

1. States have the autonomy to choose their implementation model as health is a state subject.
2. States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have shown commendable performance in the health sector.

Potential challenges identified by Vijaya Srivastav

Possible hurdles in the implementation of the scheme:

• The scheme was designed after detailed consultations to address as many potential issues as possible.
• A thorough transition plan has been laid out to tackle any unforeseen glitches.

Benefits of the Scheme as outlined by Vijaya Srivastav

The advantages of Ayushman Bharat for individuals and the country:

• The previous coverage of Rs 1 lakh was inadequate, leading to out-of-pocket expenses.
• The Ministry recognized the need for a more realistic scheme to address this issue.
• Ayushman Bharat offers a more accessible subscription.
• The scheme includes both private and public hospitals.
• The number of AIIMS is set to increase from 6 to 20.

Views of Dr. Shubnum Singh, Chief Executive, Max Institute of Health

The role of insurance and private companies in this new health scheme:

• The responsibility is shared between the private and public sectors.
• There might be concerns about creating a level playing field.
• India needs 1 lakh beds to meet the demands of the health sector, presenting a significant opportunity.

Final thoughts from Aditi Tandon

• This program gives a boost to the tertiary sector, resulting in overall growth and focused attention.
• Wellness centers will be established at the village level to improve grassroots healthcare.
• However, challenges remain in terms of human resources and funding. Addressing these could potentially create more employment opportunities.
• Wellness centers also aim to raise awareness about preventing serious lifestyle diseases.

It remains to be seen how the ambitious Ayushman Bharat scheme, or "NaMo Healthcare," will tackle the challenges of healthcare in India.

For more insights on current affairs relevant to the IAS exam, read more here .