Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

Ayushman Sahakar scheme aims to improve rural areas in accordance with the National Digital Health Mission and was introduced by the Honorable Prime Minister on August 15, 2020. It will lead to a revolution in comprehensive health care services in rural areas. For the objective of promoting partnership in the development of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure, the Ministry of Agriculture has introduced the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme which will be implemented by National Cooperative Development Corporation.

What is Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

The National Cooperative Development Corporation will make the Ayushman Sahakar Fund available, and any cooperative society with the necessary resources to carry out healthcare-related activities will be able to access the NCDC fund. A total of Rs. 10,000 crore in term loans will be given to potential cooperatives. The primary focus will be on developing the infrastructure for healthcare and education, modernising, expanding, and repairing healthcare facilities, and building new hospitals. Working capital and margin funds must also be given to the cooperatives in order to meet the requirements. This scheme will also provide interest subvention of 1% to cooperatives with a majority of women.

The Objective of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:

• To promote the provision of accessible, comprehensive healthcare by cooperative societies through their facilities for healthcare, education, and research.
• To aid cooperative societies in promoting AYUSH facilities.
• Aiding cooperative societies in achieving the goals of the National Health Policy.
• In order to aid cooperative groups in taking part in the National Digital Health Mission.
• Support cooperative societies in their efforts to deliver complete healthcare, including related services, education, and insurance.

Finance of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:

In the following period, the National Development Corporation will offer prospective cooperatives term loans of up to Rs 10,000 crore. The NCDC fund would be accessible to any cooperative society with a sufficient provision bylaw that permits health-related activity. NCDC funding will go to qualifying cooperatives either directly or via the State Governments/UT Administrations.

Significance of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:

• The villagers will receive various facilities under this programme, including hospitals and medical schools.
• Hospitals, healthcare, nursing education, medical education, paramedical education, or holistic health systems like AYUSH are all included in its all-encompassing approach.
• More healthcare facilities are required as a result of the COVID 19 Pandemic.
• Nearly 52 hospitals are managed by cooperatives nationwide. They can support more than 5000 people in total. The programme enhances the cooperatives’ ability to provide healthcare services.
• The programme fits in with the National Health Policy’s 2017 focus on the health systems in all of their manifestations, including investments in healthcare, the structuring of healthcare services, access to technologies, the growth of human resources, the promotion of medical diversity, the cost of healthcare for farmers, etc.

Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q1. Write a Brief note on Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

Ans: Ayushman Sahakar is a programme designed to help cooperatives play a significant part in the development of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. It was developed by the National Cooperative Development Corporation, the top autonomous development finance institution within the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (NCDC).

Q2. What are the Significances of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

Ans:  Following are the significance of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

• After the scheme, villagers will receive various facilities under this programme, including hospitals and medical schools.
• Hospitals, healthcare, nursing education, medical education, paramedical education, or holistic health systems like AYUSH are all included in its all-encompassing approach.
• More healthcare facilities are required as a result of the COVID 19 Pandemic.
• Nearly 52 hospitals are managed by cooperatives nationwide. They can support more than 5000 people in total. The programme enhances the cooperatives’ ability to provide healthcare services. The programme fits in with the National Health Policy 2017.

Q3. What is the Financial Mechanism of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

Ans:  The National Development Corporation will offer prospective cooperatives term loans of up to Rs 10,000 crore. The NCDC fund would be accessible to any cooperative society with a sufficient provision bylaw that permits health-related activity. NCDC funding will go to qualifying cooperatives either directly or via the State Governments/UT Administrations.

Q4. Mention the Objective of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

Ans: The objective of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is: To promote the provision of accessible, comprehensive healthcare by cooperative societies through their facilities for healthcare, education, and research. TIt will aid cooperative societies in promoting AYUSH facilities. Also aiding cooperative societies in achieving the goals of the National Health Policy. In order to aid cooperative groups in taking part in the National Digital Health Mission.

Q5. Who Implemented Ayushman Sahakar Scheme?

Ans: Ministry of Agriculture has introduced the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme which will be implemented by the National Cooperative Development Corporation.