Synopsis
The Delhi government is aiming to enhance health coverage in upscale neighborhoods by boosting ASHA numbers and enrolling 1 lakh beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat in a month, showcasing their commitment to healthcare reforms.Key Takeaways
- Increase in ASHA workers to improve health outreach.
- Target of 1 lakh Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries in one month.
- Plans to construct 413 new urban health centers.
- Establishment of 1,139 U-AAMs under the Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission.
- Focus on individuals aged 70 and above for health scheme enrollment.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) The Delhi government is contemplating a plan to broaden the reach of health initiatives in exclusive neighborhoods by increasing the number of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and registering 1 lakh Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries within a month.
In addition to suspending leaves for district medical officers for the next few weeks, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's administration is preparing to include families and individuals over 70 years old among the 1 lakh beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
A document crafted by the Health Secretary for the Cabinet's review suggested that, apart from the rise in ASHA personnel capable of providing primary healthcare, the new BJP government is expected to make a decision to nearly double the number of urban public health centers or Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (U-AAMs) shortly.
An additional 413 urban health centers are set to be constructed to bolster the current 553 Mohalla Clinics, which will also be enhanced to U-AAMs.
The overall aim is to operationalize 1,139 U-AAMs under the Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission Scheme, with Rs 2,406 crore allocated by the Central government.
To illustrate the BJP government's dedication to advancing health services, the Health Department has been instructed to establish 11 new model U-AAMs within 30 days – one in every district – under the oversight of the District Magistrates.
Other Central Ayushman Bharat Schemes anticipated to be launched in Delhi soon include the Health and Wellness Centre (HWC)/Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), the Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission Scheme (PM-BHIM), the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), and the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's emphasis on health services appears to be a reaction to the commitments made by the BJP during the lead-up to the Assembly elections.
While the former AAP government asserted that it had brought about a transformation in the healthcare sector with the establishment of Mohalla Clinics, the BJP has raised allegations of scams involving counterfeit medicines and fraudulent billing in these clinics.
