Modi 3.0: 100 Days of New Healthcare Initiatives
In the first 100 days of its third term, the Narendra Modi-led administration has launched a range of significant healthcare reforms aimed at improving public health nationwide. Key among these initiatives is the provision of health insurance for all senior citizens aged 70 and above, alongside the addition of 75,000 new medical seats.
The expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will provide health coverage of Rs 5 lakh to approximately 4.5 crore families, benefiting around 6 crore senior citizens regardless of their income level. This initiative addresses the growing need for geriatric care as India's elderly population is expected to double by 2050.
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to create 75,000 additional medical seats over the next five years, increasing the current total of over one lakh seats. This move is designed to enhance the effectiveness of the healthcare system and reduce dependence on international medical education.
Aligned with the ‘Swasth Bharat’ (Healthy India) vision for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, the government has also launched the Rashtriya Poshan Mission. This program, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), focuses on improving the nutritional status of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls.
To modernize immunization processes, the U-WIN portal has been introduced to digitize routine vaccinations. Additionally, the National Medical Commission is developing a central database for doctors. The government has also initiated a special campaign to increase awareness of sickle cell disease, particularly among women, adolescent girls, and tribal populations.
The Union Budget 2024-25 includes provisions to alleviate the financial burden on cancer patients by exempting customs duties on three cancer medications, Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab. To improve accessibility, the GST rate on these drugs has also been reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent.
In a bid to advance emergency medical services, the PM E-DRIVE scheme has introduced electric ambulances with an investment of Rs 10,900 crore. Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) now features a ‘Scan and Share’ capability, enabling out-patient registrations for up to 4 crore individuals, marking a notable advancement in digital healthcare.