Digital Universal Health Coverage

Health is the biggest asset, and we are liable to treasure it. Also, good health is the only driving force that keeps us alive and engaged in all other ongoing activities of life. Considering this fact, Aarogyaone is here with a trending topic which is Digital Universal Health Coverage. Most of us are not quite familiar with the concept and we have decided to let you know.

What is Universal Health Coverage

The concept of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is all about providing premium quality health services to all individuals without any financial crisis. Also, as per our government’s vision the goal of a Universal Health Card by the year 2030.

The government is aggressively heading towards it under their Ayushman Bharat initiative. Using this concept, people will have quick access to all the medical products and services they need.

To accomplish the mission, a system of Primary Health Care (PHC) is there with which the UHC level will be achieved.

Components of Digital Universal Health Care

There are two inter-related components with which the Ayushman Bharat is adopting a continuum of care approach:

Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)

As per the government’s 2018 announcement, they are in the process of building approximately 1,50,000 HWCs. It is being done by the transformation of Primary Health Centres & Subcentres.

These centers are responsible for providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC).

As a result, now the medical facilities are available closer to your home. Various types of health problems like non-communicable diseases, pediatric treatment, maternal health services along with diagnostic services are being treated.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

PM-JAY is the second component that supports the mission of Universal Health Coverage Under this scheme, the Government is offering cashless treatment to all Indian citizens who are financially challenged. The cashless benefit is available for up to 5 lakhs per family per year who are listed under secondary and tertiary care conditions.

Available medical facilities under PM-JAY are

Medical examination, treatment and consultation
Pre-hospitalization
Medicine and medical consumables
Non-intensive and intensive care services
Diagnostic and laboratory investigations
Medical implantation services (where necessary)
Accommodation benefits
Food services
Complications arising during treatment
Post-hospitalization follow-up care up to 15 days

You can check our previous blog where we have mentioned detailed information about Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). Click the link and get the detailed information.

Ways to Reach UHC (Universal Health Coverage)

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the most prominent way to achieve UHC under which people’s needs are identified. Afterward, the needs are prioritized and addressed effectively using the empowered health infrastructure. The health infrastructure ensures the availability of equipment, resources, medicines, etc.

Furthermore, the government is striving hard to fasten the track and reach the goal as soon as possible. In this regard, PHC has put its focus on the comprehensive approach rather than limiting it to the traditional medical treatment process.

Health System Resilience

The concept of Health System Resilience revolves around the ability of the health sector to conquer rising health threats. We can understand it very well because we have survived the era of Covid-19. The global health threat has shaken the world and even developed and advanced nations like the USA, UK, etc have no clue what to do.

Since the era of COVID-19, the government has been making collaborations across the world and building networks to strengthen the healthcare system. They are adapting the global response to COVID-19 and further transforming these calculations at various scales like international, national, and level levels, etc.

The activities include community-based surveillance, diagnostic networks, and efficient vaccine administration mechanisms. Such initiatives broaden the health sector and bring stability to society where they can face any epidemic problem confidently.

Health System Digitalization

We all are quite aware of how digitalization has improved our lifestyle and given us easier options to explore anything and everything by being in one place. Similarly, it plays an important role in empowering the healthcare sector.

Adapting Data-driven infrastructure is phenomenal where people, policymakers, service providers, etc. can have real-time data. Also, you will get surprised to know, in Zambia death rate due to malaria has been reduced significantly.

Utilizing the power of digital resources, now we can have all the information like the availability of staff & medicine, and the procurement process.

Digital Universal Health Coverage: People-Centric Approach

Under this concept, depending on people’s need, the design of healthcare products and services will take place. Moreover, UHC is gaining attention because it is a people-centric approach where the needs are diagnosed from the ground level. Accordingly, they are generating solutions.

Final Thoughts

Universal Health Coverage is the people-centric approach where the government strives hard to fulfill all medical demands without any financial dependency. PM-JAY and HWCs are the main components with which we can achieve the level of UHC.