Indian Government Takes Steps to Improve Healthcare and Ensure Universal Health Coverage

The Indian government has approved setting up of 17 new medical colleges and upgradation of 70 existing medical institutions to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Health Minister JP Nadda said, “The central government is committed to assisting the states/union territories in the direction of UHC. This is, however, to be carried out in a phased manner given the need for requisite infrastructure and adequate capacity in the states.”

Nadda said for ensuring UHC, states need to have a healthy system and the Center is ready to provide whatever help is required to them. At present six AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) are operational and nine more have been announced.

“Approval has been given to set up 17 new medical colleges and upgradation of 22 district hospitals into medical colleges in the last one year towards universalization of tertiary care. Seventy medical colleges/institutions have also been taken up for upgradation,” said Nadda.

The National Health Mission (NHM) provides support to states and union territories for strengthening healthcare delivery system including free or affordable healthcare, free medication and diagnostics to all those who access public health facilities.

Source-Medindia