Lok Sabha Question No. 106 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Cost of Healthcare Facilities
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 106 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## COST OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

## *106. DR. AMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to slash the cost of healthcare facilities and increase the supply of doctors with the help of technology and modified medical education;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to ( c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 106 FOR 9 TH FEBRUARY, 2024

The government has increased number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of 82% in Medical Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 706 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 112% in MBBS seats from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,08,940 as of now and increase of 127% in PG seats from 31,185 before 2014 to 70,645 as of now. Further, some of the measures/steps taken by the Government to ensure affordable and quality tertiary health care facilities and availability of qualified medical professional includes:

- a. Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new government medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 108 new government medical colleges are already functional out of 157 approved.
- b. Under 'Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks' of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme, a total of 75 projects have been approved, of which 64 projects are complete.
- c. Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these.
- d. Relaxation in the norms for setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement for faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure.
- e. DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
- f. Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.
- g. Generic medicine are made available at affordable price to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicine and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions. As on 30.11.2023, approx 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are functional across the country.
- h. Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, financial protection is provided to approx 12 crore poor and vulnerable families. It offers a benefit cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year (on a family floater basis). Services include a range of procedures covering all the costs related to treatment, including but not limited to drugs, supplies, diagnostic services, physician's fees, room charges, surgeon charges, OT and ICU charges etc.
- i. A National Telemedicine Service platform, eSanjeevani has been launched for enabling cost effective doctor to doctor and patient to doctor consultations.
- j. Government of India has recently launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which is aimed to create a digital enabling ecosystem creating linkage between healthcare seekers and providers and aims to reduce cost of healthcare services and ease of access of services to the poor citizen of the country.
- k. The Government has launched Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) in 2018 to strengthen sub-health centres and primary health centres in rural and urban areas for comprehensive primary health care services. AAMs are fully equipped to deliver healthcare services under National Health Mission in urban as well as rural areas covering the last miles areas including tribal and hilly areas through various reforms. As on 15.01.2024, around 1.6 lakh AAMs are operationalised.
- l. Under NHM financial support is provided to States / UTs for provision of free essential medicines in public health facilities based on the requirements posed by States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) within their overall resource envelope. Ministry has recommended facility wise Essential Drugs List (EDL) to be made available at the public healthcare facilities to ensure widespread access to essential medicines.
- m. To strengthen the Public Health Infrastructure effectively manage and respond towards any future pandemics and outbreaks, PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) is announced in Budget 21-22 on 1st February 2021. Under the scheme the total financial outlay for the scheme period (2021-22 to 2025-26) is Rs 64180 Crore including ME and PMU cost out of which amount of Rs 54204.78 Crore is for implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme Components and amount of Rs 9339.78 Crores for implementation of Central Sector components

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