Cancer is one of the leading threats to public health in India. An estimated 2.25 million people live with the disease in the country, with more than 1.15 million new cases registered and an estimated 784,821 deaths recorded last year. Despite this, the country’s cancer infrastructure is sorely lacking – as phrased by a parliamentary […]
access to healthcare
Private practice warning for Mumbai doctors and hospitals
Doctors and hospitals could face action if government-employed medicos participate in private practice during the office hours of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). More than eighty percent of doctors and seventy percent of nurses and midwives are employed by the private sector in India. Government doctors should not participate in private practice between the hours […]
Stroke treatment boost in Kochi
The government-run General Hospital, Ernakulam in Kochi will provide stroke treatment with the opening of a new centre. A dedicated team to provide stroke treatment and management is being formulated, in order to dispense treatment in a timely and efficient manner to those admitted to the hospital with stroke symptoms. Nephrologist Dr M. Sreedeepan, who […]
World Mental Health Day: India continues to suffer in silence
Millions of Indians continue to suffer in silence as the treatment gap due to mental health disorders remains in the face of staggering demand. World Mental Health Day – observed today – serves as a reminder of this grim reality. Approximately 150 million Indians are affected by mental health disorders, including 56 million who suffer […]
Piramal Swasthya: Indian NGO awarded by USAID
Piramal Swasthya has received an award from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for its work in expanding access to affordable healthcare throughout the country. It was one of five international organisations to receive the Inclusive Health Access Award from the Washington-based agency, as well as a US$30,000 grant. Chief executive officer Vishal […]
Ayushman Bharat: One year in
Today marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of Ayushman Bharat, with reports indicating the scope of the initiative’s success – and plans for its future. Officially known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Ayushman Bharat offers health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year to economically vulnerable families – […]
Child and maternal mortality: India still a leader
“Thirty years ago, the world made a commitment to protect and fulfil children’s rights as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Among the most fundamental of these rights is the right of every child to survive.” So reads the introduction of the latest Levels and Trends in Child Mortality, a joint […]
Centre continues push for primary healthcare
![Dr Vardhan assuming charge of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in May 2014. His reappointment marks his second stint in the post. Image credit: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (GODL-India) [GODL-India (https://data.gov.in/sites/default/files/Gazette_Notification_OGDL.pdf)] This file or its source was published by Press Information Bureau on behalf of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India under the ID 54064 and CNR 56840. (direct link). Vardhan out after cabinet reshuffle concept.](https://healthissuesindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/800px-Dr._Harsh_Vardhan_taking_charge_as_the_Union_Minister_for_Health__Family_Welfare_in_New_Delhi_on_May_27_2014-150x150.jpg)
Government plans for strengthening India’s primary healthcare infrastructure are continuing, with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan announcing an ambitious target of constructing 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres (HWCs) by 2022. HWCs form a core part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), or Ayushman Bharat, the Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme which […]
HWCs: Almost 21,000 built under Ayushman Bharat
![A primary health centre in Thuravoor, Kerala. Strengthening India's primary healthcare infrastructure through HWCS is a core of Ayushman Bharat. (Image credit: Ranjithsiji [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons)](https://healthissuesindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/800px-Thuravoor_Primary_Health_Center_Main_Building-150x150.jpg)
More than 20,000 health and wellness centres (HWCs) are operational across India. HWCs mark a major commitment by the Centre to strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure in the country, coming as part of its flagship health insurance initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) or Ayushman Bharat. In the previous year, 20,942 HWCs have become […]
Low awareness hampering Ayushman Bharat?
The Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat is enrolling Indians in droves, but low awareness in parts of the country could be hampering its implementation. The initiative – officially known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) – is nearing the first anniversary of its launch this month and has enjoyed significant success […]