AB-PMJAY gave ₹2,794 cr. for COVID treatment

Source: The Hindu

What is the News?

The government of India has informed about the achievements of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). It has also released funds under India COVID-19 Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness Package: Phase-II (ECRP-II package).

About Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY):

1. AB-PMJAY

Role of Ayushman Bharat in Covid-19 Treatment:

1. Under Ayushman Bharat, the Union government has allowed beneficiaries to avail of free testing and treatment across all empanelled hospitals — both public and private.
2. The National Health Authority(NHA) is the nodal agency responsible for the nationwide roll-out and implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

About India COVID-19 Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness Package:

Phase 1 of the Package:

1. In March 2020, when the country was faced with the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government announced the “India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package”.
2. Aim: To provide critical impetus to the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and States/UTs and catalysing health systems activities for pandemic management.

Phase II of the Package:

1. The Phase II of the package was announced in July 2021 during the second wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
2. Aim: To accelerate the health system’s preparedness by providing an immediate response for early prevention, detection, and management with the focus on health infrastructure development including pediatric care.
3. Duration of the Scheme: The scheme would be implemented from July 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
4. Components: The scheme has Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) components.