Latest news with #Ayushman
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
PMJAY dues will be cleared soon: Min
Ranchi: Health minister Irfan Ansari on Tuesday assured private hospitals of the state that they would get their outstanding dues for treating patients under the Centre's under Ayushman yojana. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He, however, warned that the govt will continue to crackdown against the establishments if they are found resorting to malpractices under this scheme. Speaking at a conclave organised by Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) at a city hotel to address issues related to pending payments of government dues under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), he said that govt will soon release legitimate pending payments. The state chapter of AHPI had recently threatened to stop treating the beneficiaries of the scheme citing scores of pending dues from the govt since February this year. Ansari said that the govt is sensitive towards every section of the society and their concerns, including the poor. "Approximately, Rs 192 crore in payments have been pending since February 11 this year, which will be resolved soon. Over the past seven years, a total of Rs 2,284 crore has been paid out. Payments of Rs 485 crore for 7.3 lakh govt hospital patients and over Rs 2,000 crore for 14 lakh private hospital patients have been made till date," the minister said. Ansari said the delays were due to ongoing probe against 212 hospitals identified by the National Anti-Fraud Unit. Technical glitches in the new portal system have also caused delays in payments to another 350 hospitals, Ansari said, adding that it is being resolved.
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Union government rolling out integrated healthcare practices, says Nadda
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda said the Centre was facilitating integrated healthcare practices across the country in phases. He was speaking at the 15th convocation of K.L.E. Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER) in Belagavi on Tuesday. 'We have been fighting for establishing an integrated medical system for many years. Today we stand at the important stage of preventing diseases through holistic methods including allopathy, ayurveda, homoeopathy, and others. We have to enable disease prevention by thinking from the perspective of the holistic approach of Indian medical science. It has already been thought of adopting ayurveda as a degree along with allopathy. Students should be motivated to accept this approach,' he said. 'The Union government is focused on providing healthcare which is not only curative but also preventive,' he said. 'Today, 1.75 lakh Ayushman Health Centres are functioning across the country. In the last 10 years, 319 medical colleges have been started across the country. In the last 10 years, there has been a 130% increase in MBBS and postgraduate seats,' he said. He urged medical professionals to adopt modern AI technology. 'This will help medical innovation immensely. These fields also offer more opportunities for start-ups,' he said. He urged young medical graduates not to leave India in search of better opportunities in higher studies or service. 'They should stay here, take up studies or research, and work for the poor. Unlike the past, now there are world-class All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in the country. The Centre is supporting several research projects on priority. Young medical graduates and researchers should explore new disease prevention methods. While the government is trying its best to focus on providing healthcare by providing care and rehabilitation, building a healthy society is in the hands of young doctors,' Mr. Nadda said. Vice-Chancellor Nitin M. Gangane read out the annual report. He said that KLE had recently opened Jagadguru Gangadhara Mahaswamigalu Moorusavirath Medical College at Hubballi and the 200-bed KLE Dr. Sampatkumar S. Shivanagi Cancer Hospital at Belagavi. The honorary degree of Doctor of Science (DSc) (Honoris Causa) was given to Shailesh V. Shrikhande, professor of Surgical Oncology and Deputy Director, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. A total of 1,844 degrees were awarded, including 40 PhDs., 29 post-doctoral (DM/MCh), 660 postgraduates, 1,080 undergraduates, nine postgraduate diplomas, 11 diplomas, four fellowships, and 11 certificate courses. As many as 35 students, including 28 girls and seven boys, were awarded 46 gold medals for their academic achievements in their respective courses and specialities. Shweta Rajshekhar Gore from K.L.E. Shri B.M. Kankanawadi Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Belagavi, got four gold medals at the undergraduate level. Karumudi Prathyusha from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, got three gold medals at the postgraduate level.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
100 days of Rekha Gupta government: Promises, progress, and persistent problems in Delhi
WHAT'S REALISED In first 100 days, the new government in Delhi has made significant strides in fulfilling the BJP's poll promises. Through initiatives in healthcare, education, women's welfare, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, her administration claims to have laid a strong foundation for the city's development. One of the Gupta's earliest actions was approval of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi, one that provides health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family, with an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up funded by the city government. The scheme aims to enhance access to quality healthcare for residents, addressing a long-standing gap in the city's health insurance coverage. The Chief Minister presented a Rs 1 lakh crore budget for 2025-26, marking the highest allocation in the city's history. Notably, Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for clean drinking water and sanitation projects, and Rs 6,874 crore for health initiatives, including the establishment of new health and wellness centers and the expansion of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative. On May 29, Gupta inaugurated three state-of-the-art health facilities at Lok Nayak Hospital. These include a Medical Genetics Ward, a Lactation Management Unit, and a Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing lab. The Medical Genetics Department is the first of its kind in Delhi government hospitals, focusing on diagnosing and treating rare genetic disorders. The government has prioritised women's welfare in form of the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, allocating Rs 5,100 crore to provide Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women. Additionally, 50,000 CCTV cameras are being installed across Delhi to enhance women's safety. The government has also launched 100 'Atal Canteens' with a budget of Rs 100 crore to ensure food security for the poor. In line with the National Education Policy, the government has announced new CM Shri schools, with an initial Rs 100 crore allocation. Additionally, 175 new computer labs are being established, and smart classes are being installed with a Rs 100 crore budget. Free laptops will be provided to 1,200 students on passing class 10, with Rs 750 crore allocated for this initiative. A new project, 'NEEV – New Era of Entrepreneur Ecosystem and Vision,' has been launched with an allocation of Rs 20 crore to equip children with essential skills for modern economies. The administration has also focused on enhancing the Delhi infrastructure. A Rs 1,000 crore allocation has been made for improved connectivity in the National Capital Region. Additionally, Rs 3,843 crore has been allocated for road and bridge infrastructure, and Rs 696 crore for development in slum clusters. The government is also working on repairing old sewer lines and converting the Haryana-Delhi canal into a pipeline to improve water supply. The BJP government touts its plans of cleaning the Yamuna River by decentralising 40 sewage treatment plants and ensuring that only treated water reaches the river. A Rs 500 crore allocation has been made for this initiative. Additionally, Rs 250 crore has been allocated for repairing old sewer lines, and Rs 50 crore for rainwater harvesting initiatives. The government is also seeking an additional Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre to make water and sewage infrastructure world-class. The Chief Minister has emphasised transparency and public engagement through regular 'Jan Sunwai' (public grievance) sessions held both at the Chief Minister's camp office and in all districts. These sessions aim to strengthen public engagement and address citizens' concerns promptly.
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Firm and focused leadership keeps India on course
Chain ki zindagi jio, roti khao; warna meri goli to hai hi." (Live peacefully, eat your bread; else you face my bullets). These words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, broadcast live from the border district Bhuj, went viral globally. His detractors may insist these sound like a punchline from a film, but messages such as this one fill a large section of Indians with pride. Was it a coincidence that it was the day Modi completed 11 years as PM of India? He completes the first year of his third term next week. Also read: This may be the nail in the coffin of Maoist menace On 9 June last year, when Modi assumed office, his opponents felt a golden opportunity was just around the corner to snatch power from the BJP as that party lacked an absolute majority on its own. A year later, that idea seems hollow and distant. Consider the Waqf bill. Despite reluctance from NDA allies, the Janata Dal-United (JD(U)) and Telugu Desam Party, BJP neither backed down nor toned down its aggressive stance. Modi has crafted his communication and administrative style assiduously. In all his years in power since 2001, he has kept using a language that establishes him as a straight-shooting, strong leader among his voters. Traditionalists may frown upon his style, but in a democracy, voters decide what's acceptable or not. What can be a bigger stamp of approval than that Modi hasn't lost a single election to date? But Modi doesn't succeed merely through self-projection. As a Prime Minister, he has convinced citizens that he is committed to their welfare round the clock by initiating landmark moves such as the world's largest food distribution scheme, a phenomenally expanded road and railway network, the indigenization of armament production, Gati Shakti and Ayushman schemes. Also read: The many dangers that democracy confronts today Modi has his own 'theory" to cut slack in governance. While working as an RSS pracharak and later as a BJP functionary, he always felt there was a serious lack of coordination between the organization, government and the bureaucracy. In the wake of the Bhuj earthquake of 26 January 2001, there was widespread destruction and chaos. Realizing that things were getting out of hand, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the then home minister L.K. Advani made Modi, a party veteran with vast experience working in the state, the chief minister of Gujarat. Till then, Modi wasn't even a legislator and had no experience in governance. Yet his priorities and focus were clear. He devoted his energies on rebuilding and rehabilitating the devastated areas. Resources were summoned, the distracted and dissipated energies of the state bureaucracy were channelled, and the victims of the tragedy were taken on board. If you visit Dholavira, 136km from the district headquarters of Bhuj, you will find tarred roads amid white sands of the desert, tanks for water supply, schools and electricity poles. Even in the remote desert areas of Kutch, soldiers are provided with tap water. Once it was considered impossible. He brought the same work culture to the seat of the central government in the South and North Blocks. Before him, the regional leaders would try to mould themselves to the standards of urbanity and etiquette set by the British-influenced Lutyens' Delhi elite. Modi was a stark contrast, presenting himself as a symbol of Indianness and has been steadfast in his approach. Modi's style connects with Indians and creates a unique persona internationally. Here, a question arises: Didn't former prime ministers do any good? They definitely did, but never has the country been enamoured of a leader for so long. The reason? Modi knows it's imperative to show a report card to the citizens periodically to maintain their morale. Many of his promises and initiatives have drawn much criticism. He's accused of many other things, too, but in a democracy, there's no harm if development and debate coexist. Also read: A nation falling for the lure of majoritarianism Recently a news appeared that India became the fourth largest economy in the world, leaving Japan behind; now it has to go past Germany to become the third largest economy. Some experts think that it would take some more time before we go past Japan's economy, but does this nitpicking matter? A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report published later suggests we would remain one of the fastest growing large economies in the world. It's clear that India's development story is on course despite many challenges, and we can't deny Narendra Modi's role in it. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ayushman enrolments see dip as private hospitals back off over rates, delays
Ayushman enrolments see dip as private hospitals back off over rates, delays (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Empanelment of hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana has dropped significantly, from an average of 316 per month in 2024 to 111 per month in 2025, as of April. Data shared by National Health Authority (NHA) on scheme's dashboard shows that 443 hospitals were empanelled under the AB-PMJAY across India in four months - 161 in Jan, 187 in Feb, 40 in March and 55 in April. In May, the latest update shows, 20 hospitals were empanelled. Many healthcare associations point out that low package rates and delayed payments are key reasons behind the lukewarm response to government schemes from the private sector, especially large corporate hospital chains. However, a senior official of NHA - the implementing agency of the AB-PMJAY - said empanelment is taking place and that some of the new empanelments may not have been updated as they were migrating to a new system. AB-PMJAY, which is available in all states/UTs, except West Bengal, offers treatment worth Rs 5 lakh and, in some cases, more, per family for treatment of nearly 2,000 procedures involving specialties, including medical oncology (cancer treatment), emergency care, orthopaedic and urology (kidney-related ailments). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The CEO of a top hospital chain in Delhi, the latest state to join the scheme, told TOI that package rates offered for various procedures under the AB-PMJAY were lower than their input cost. "We may join the scheme if the package rates are increased," he said. The Indian Medical Association has also stressed on the need to increase package rates to make treatment under the scheme more sustainable. "The rates should be raised to at least CGHS level," said an IMA office-bearer. As many as 609 private hospitals have opted out of the scheme since 2018, minister of state for health Prataprao Jadhav said in a written response to a Parliament question in March. "The reasons for hospitals voluntarily opting out include empanelment only for Covid period, hospitals were closed or non-functional, changes in hospital entity, hospital relocated, ongoing reconstruction or renovation, unavailability of specialist doctors, voluntary withdrawal from scheme, package rates, opting out due to certain treatment packages reserved for public hospitals only (Chhattisgarh and Gujarat), and no referral from public hospitals (Karnataka)," he added.
