Ayushman Sahakar Scheme: Cooperative-Led Healthcare by NCDC

Union Minister for Home and Cooperation discussed Ayushman Sahakar Scheme in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Explore UPSC Online Courses

Explore UPSC Online Courses

About the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

• Overview: The Scheme was launched to promote cooperative-led healthcare infrastructure and services in alignment with the National Health Policy, 2017.
• Nodal Agency: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), under the Ministry of Cooperation.
• Launch Year: Ayushman Sahakar Scheme was launched in 2020- 21
• Objectives of Ayushman Sahakar:
  • Affordable and Holistic Healthcare: Support cooperative societies in establishing hospitals, healthcare, and education facilities.
  • Promotion of AYUSH: Strengthen AYUSH-based healthcare services through cooperatives.
  • National Health Policy Goals: Align cooperative healthcare initiatives with the objectives of National Health Policy 2017.
  • Digital Health Mission: Enable cooperatives to integrate with the National Digital Health Mission.
  • Comprehensive Healthcare Services: Support services including healthcare delivery, education, insurance, and related activities
• Activities Covered Under the Scheme:
  • Healthcare Infrastructure: Assistance is provided for creation, expansion, renovation, and modernization of hospitals and medical institutions.
  • Medical Education: Funding supports nursing, dental, pharmacy, paramedical, and AYUSH colleges offering UG and PG programmes.
  • Specialised Services: Projects include trauma centres, mental health units, palliative care, elderly care, and disability healthcare services.
  • Digital and Mobile Health: Telemedicine, mobile clinics, diagnostics, laboratories, and digital health ICT systems are eligible
• Financial Assistance Features:
  • Type: NCDC provides term loans and investment loans based on project appraisal.
  • Loan Tenure: Repayment period extends up to 8 years, including a 1–2 year moratorium on principal.
  • Interest Incentive: Women-majority cooperatives receive a 1% interest concession on timely repayments.
  • Project Cost Norm: Financial support is based on actual project requirements without a fixed ceiling.
• Eligibility: Any cooperative registered under State or Multi-State Cooperative Acts with healthcare in its bylaws qualifies.
• Security Requirements: Loans are secured through asset mortgage, government guarantees, bank guarantees, or pledged securities

Significance of the Scheme

• Community Ownership: Promotes cooperative-led healthcare ensuring accountability and participation.
• Support for AYUSH Sector: Strengthens traditional and integrative medicine systems.
• Women Empowerment: Incentivises women-majority cooperatives through concessional interest rates.
• Inclusive Healthcare Expansion: Expands healthcare infrastructure in rural and underserved areas.
• Cooperative Sector Diversification: Broadens the role of cooperatives beyond agriculture into healthcare services.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

[/orange_table]

DOWNLOAD PDF