Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
3) Can Ayushman Bharat make for a healthier India? Critically analyze.(250 words)
Why this question
Ayushman Bharat is one of the most important flagship schemes of the GoI. The scheme has been lauded for its progressive provisions and criticized at the same time for its deficiencies. Therefore it is important to learn more about the scheme and analyze its pros as well as cons/ limitations.
Directive word
Critically analyze- here we have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts, and present them as a whole in a summary. based on our discussion we have to form a concluding opinion on the issue. .
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to delve deep into the objectives and strategies of Ayushman Bharat scheme and bring out its pros/ advantages and also the cons/ limitations. Based on our discussion we have to form a personal opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the Ayushman Bharat scheme. E.g when it was introduced, persons covered and key objectives. Ayushman Bharat scheme is the world’s largest government-funded health programme called National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), covering 10 crore families or approximately 50 crore population, with Rs 5 lakh insurance cover per family per year. The scheme is for secondary and tertiary healthcare, mainly for hospital care.
Body-
- Discuss the pros of Ayushman Bharat scheme. E.g This flagship scheme is likely to benefit more than 37% of the population, meaning that nearly all the poor and vulnerable families will be covered; Ultimately, NHPS could help country move towards universal health coverage and equitable access to healthcare which is one of the UN SDGs; This mission enables increased access to in-patient health care for the poor and lower middle class. The access to health care is cashless and nationally portable; Ayushman Bharat will spur increased investment in health and generate lakhs of jobs, especially for women, and will be a driver of development and growth etc.
- Discuss the cons/ limitations. E.g However, given that states are expected to agree for 40 per cent share under the NHPS and that health being a state subject, state ownership and commitment will be critical for the success of the programme; However, given that states are expected to agree for 40 per cent share under the NHPS and that health being a state subject, state ownership and commitment will be critical for the success of the programme; The most critical issue remains the limited and uneven distribution of human resources at various levels of health services, with up to 40 per cent of health worker posts lying vacant in some states;
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
