"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," he said during Question Hour.
As part of efforts to ensure universal health coverage, the government has approved setting up of 17 new medical colleges apart from taking up upgradation of 70 existing medical institutions, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.
Health Minister J P Nadda said the government would extend all help to ensure that states have requisite infrastructure and adequate capacity with regard to achieving Univeral Health Coverage (UHC).
"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," he said during Question Hour.
He was asked whether the government proposes to roll out universal healthcare plan.
With regard to tertiary healthcare, the Minister said nine more AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) have been announced. At present, six AIIMS are operational.
He said that 70 medical colleges/institutions have also been taken up for upgradation.
"Further, 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 universalisation of tertiary care," he noted.
For ensuring UHC, states need to have a robust system and the Centre is ready to provide whatever help is required to them, the Minister said.
Under the National Health Mission (NHM), support is provided to states and union territories for strengthening their healthcare delivery system including for free/ affordable healthcare, free drugs and diagnostics to all those who access public health facilities.
Besides, under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bhima Yojana (RSBY) cashless benefit of up to Rs 30,000 annually per family of five for specified hospitalisation procedures is available to all
BPL (Below Poverty Line) people and eleven other categories of vulnerable population groups.
In response to a query on whether government proposes to provide health cards free of cost to all citizens, Nadda said, "RSBY operates through a card system".
"Provision of health cards to all would progress with the phased implementation of UHC," he added.
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