Ananya Gupta
October 03, 2023 10:12
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Ayushman Sahakar Scheme, a transformative healthcare initiative by the National Cooperative Development Corporation, aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability in India.
Initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the “Ayushman Sahakar” scheme, launched on October 19, 2020, is a distinctive endeavor aimed at empowering cooperatives to actively contribute to the development of healthcare infrastructure within the nation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the critical need for robust healthcare facilities. Thus, as part of this initiative, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is committed to providing term loans totaling Rs. 10,000 crore to aspiring cooperatives in the coming years. This financial support aims to bolster the healthcare sector’s capacity and resilience in addressing the evolving healthcare needs of the country.
| Ayushman Sahakar Scheme | |
|---|---|
| Launch Date | October 19, 2020 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Objective | Enhance healthcare access, affordability, and quality through cooperative societies. |
| Focus Area | Healthcare infrastructure, affordability, digital health, traditional medicine (AYUSH), gender equality, community participation, quality healthcare. |
| Financial Support | Funding for establishment, modernization, expansion, repairs, renovation of healthcare facilities, medical and AYUSH education, digital health integration, and more. |
Ayushman Sahakar Program, introduced on October 19, 2020, is an initiative introduced by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), which operates under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare. This visionary scheme, conceived and funded by the NCDC, finds its roots in the imperative need for fortified healthcare infrastructure, a need that became all the more evident during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare assumes oversight of the scheme, with the NCDC shouldering the responsibilities of its formulation and financial backing.
Ayushman Sahakar Fund, administered by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), will be accessible to cooperative societies equipped to engage in healthcare-related endeavors. NCDC has earmarked substantial term loans amounting to Rs. 10,000 crore for prospective cooperatives.
The primary focus of this initiative will encompass activities such as the establishment and refurbishment of hospitals, the modernization and expansion of healthcare institutions, and the repair of healthcare facilities and educational infrastructure. Cooperatives will also receive the necessary working capital and margin money to meet their operational needs.
The Ayushman Sahakar scheme extends a helping hand to women-majority cooperatives by offering a 1% interest subvention, further incentivizing their participation in healthcare-related ventures. This comprehensive approach aims to bolster cooperative contributions to the healthcare sector, promoting accessibility and quality healthcare services across India.
Here are the main goals that the Government had in mind when introducing this scheme:
Affordable and Comprehensive Healthcare: To facilitate the provision of affordable and comprehensive healthcare services, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions, through cooperative societies.
Promotion of AYUSH Facilities: To support cooperative societies in promoting and offering AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) facilities.
Alignment with National Health Policy: To aid cooperative societies in aligning with the objectives of the National Health Policy, thereby contributing to the nation’s overarching healthcare goals.
Participation in National Digital Health Mission: To encourage and enable cooperative societies to actively participate in the National Digital Health Mission, enhancing the digitalization of healthcare services.
Healthcare Services: To empower cooperative societies to provide a comprehensive range of healthcare services, encompassing education, healthcare delivery, insurance, and related activities.
Ayushman Sahakar Scheme holds significant importance for India’s healthcare landscape for several compelling reasons:
Enhancing Healthcare Access: The scheme is designed to expand healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. By supporting cooperative societies in establishing and upgrading hospitals, healthcare infrastructure, and medical colleges, it addresses the critical issue of limited healthcare access in remote regions.
Affordable Healthcare: Ayushman Sahakar aims to make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible to the masses. Cooperative hospitals supported by the scheme can offer healthcare services at reasonable rates, reducing the financial burden on patients.
Promotion of AYUSH and Traditional Medicine: The scheme’s support for AYUSH facilities aligns with India’s rich tradition of alternative medicine. This promotes holistic healthcare and leverages indigenous knowledge and practices.
Education and Skill Development: Ayushman Sahakar extends support not only to healthcare services but also to medical and AYUSH education. This helps address the shortage of healthcare professionals and enhances the quality of medical education.
Integration with Digital Health: The scheme’s alignment with the National Digital Health Mission underscores the importance of technology in healthcare. It aims to bring digital health solutions to rural areas, improving healthcare delivery and patient management.
Gender Equality: Offering a 1% interest subvention to women-majority cooperatives encourages women’s participation in healthcare initiatives, promoting gender equality and economic empowerment.
Health Insurance Accreditation: Supporting health insurance accredited by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) helps individuals access financial protection during medical emergencies.
Community Participation: The cooperative model fosters community participation in healthcare management, promoting local ownership and sustainability of healthcare initiatives.
National Health Policy Alignment: Ayushman Sahakar is in line with the National Health Policy’s objectives, contributing to the achievement of national healthcare goals.
Ayushman Sahakar Scheme covers a broad spectrum of activities related to healthcare and healthcare infrastructure development. These activities are designed to enhance healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality. Some of the key activities covered under the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme include:
Establishment of Hospitals: The scheme supports the establishment of new hospitals, including specialized healthcare facilities, which can cater to the medical needs of the community.
Modernization of Healthcare Facilities: Existing healthcare institutions can receive financial assistance for modernization, upgrading their equipment, and improving the quality of care they provide.
Expansion of Healthcare Facilities: Cooperative societies can expand their healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the population, ensuring that more people have access to healthcare services.
Repairs and Renovation: The scheme provides funding for the repair and renovation of healthcare facilities, ensuring that they remain in good condition and continue to offer quality care.
Development of Healthcare and Education Infrastructure: This encompasses the development of both healthcare and educational infrastructure, including medical colleges and institutions offering undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs in healthcare.
AYUSH Facilities: Support is extended to promote and establish AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) facilities, thereby integrating traditional medicine with modern healthcare.
Ayushman Sahakar Scheme was introduced to address several critical needs and challenges in India’s healthcare sector. Here are some of the key reasons why the scheme is essential:
Enhancing Healthcare Access: India faces significant disparities in healthcare access, with rural and underserved areas often lacking adequate healthcare facilities. The scheme aims to bridge this gap by supporting the establishment and expansion of healthcare infrastructure, particularly in remote regions.
Affordability of Healthcare: Healthcare costs can be a significant burden on individuals and families. Ayushman Sahakar seeks to make healthcare services more affordable by encouraging the development of cooperative healthcare facilities that can offer cost-effective care.
Quality of Healthcare: Ensuring that healthcare services meet high-quality standards is crucial. The scheme supports the modernization and upgrading of healthcare facilities, contributing to improved healthcare outcomes.
Integration of Traditional Medicine: India has a rich tradition of alternative and traditional medicine (AYUSH). Ayushman Sahakar promotes the integration of AYUSH facilities, providing a holistic approach to healthcare.
Shortage of Healthcare Professionals: India faces a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas. The scheme’s support for medical and AYUSH education helps address this issue by producing skilled healthcare providers.
Digital Healthcare: The National Digital Health Mission aims to digitize healthcare services. Ayushman Sahakar aligns with this mission, bringing digital health solutions to rural areas, enhancing healthcare delivery, and enabling efficient patient management.
The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) came into existence through an Act of Parliament in 1963, operating as a statutory Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Over the years, since its establishment in 1963, NCDC has played a pivotal role in fostering cooperative growth by disbursing loans totaling approximately Rs. 1.60 lakh crore to various cooperative ventures across the country.
NCDC’s primary function revolves around the strategic planning, promotion, and financial support of programs encompassing the production, processing, marketing, storage, export, and import of diverse products. It ensures the seamless supply of consumer goods to meet the needs of a dynamic market.
In addition to the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme, NCDC has introduced two other noteworthy initiatives aimed at propelling cooperative development:
Sahakar Mitra Scheme: This initiative is designed to provide financial assistance and expert guidance to cooperatives. It promotes entrepreneurship and cooperative entrepreneurship as a means of economic growth and empowerment.
Yuva Sahakar: Focused on empowering young individuals, the Yuva Sahakar scheme aims to encourage the involvement of youth in cooperative startups and ventures, fostering innovation and new cooperative enterprises.
Sahakar Pragya Initiative: This initiative is dedicated to enhancing the skills and knowledge of cooperative leaders, ensuring that they are well-equipped to lead and manage cooperative societies effectively.
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