Prime Minister Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi and healthcare intitatives for the citizens – All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC

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TOPIC: General Studies 2:

• Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
• Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

In news

• Union Cabinet recently approved the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN), a single non-lapsable reserve fund for health from the proceeds of Health and Education Cess levied under Section 136-b of Finance Act, 2007.
• In the 2018 Budget, the Central government while announcing Ayushman Bharat Scheme, also announced replacement of existing 3% Education Cess by 4% Health and Education Cess.
• Major benefits of PMSSN – will enhance access to universal and affordable health care

Health is vital for improved developmental outcomes. From an economic standpoint, better health improves productivity, and reduces losses due to premature death, prolonged disability and early retirement. Health and Nutrition also directly impact scholastic achievements and have a bearing on productivity and income.  Health Outcomes depend substantially on public spending on health.  One extra year of population life expectancy raises GDP per capita by 4%, Investment in health creates millions of jobs, largely for women, through a much needed expansion of the health workforce

Features of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi scheme 

1. A non-lapsable reserve fund for Health in the Public Account.
2. Proceeds of share of health in the Health and Education Cess will be credited into PMSSN.
3. Accruals into the PMSSN will be utilized for the flagship schemes of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare namely, 
   • Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
   • Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs)
   • National Health Mission
   • Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)
4. Emergency & disaster preparedness and responses during health emergencies
5. Any future programme/scheme that targets to achieve progress towards SDGs and the targets set out in the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017. Administration and maintenance of the PMSSN is entrusted to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
6. In any financial year, the expenditure on such schemes of the MoHFW would be initially incurred from the PMSSN and thereafter, from Gross Budgetary Support (GBS).

Connecting the Dots:

1. Critically examine the need for Prime Minister Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi scheme.