The Union Government’s flagship National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM), aimed at building a robust healthcare support system for the poor, is all set to be rolled out in a phased manner by this year end, said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday.
Addressing presspersons through video-conferencing from Delhi, the Minister said NHAM had been conceptualised to provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services apart from an assured set of primary and secondary healthcare services to people.
Free distribution of at least 50 modern medicines and about 40 drugs of the Indian Systems of Medicine and free diagnostic and health services would be assured to every citizen once the scheme is implemented full-fledged by end of next financial year, he said.
A meeting of health secretaries from all States had been convened on October 9 to discuss the modalities of rolling out the scheme, the Minister said.
National AYUSH Mission too
Indian Systems of Medicine are likely to get a major push with the launch of the National AYUSH Mission (NAM). This Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on September 15, is aimed at strengthening AYUSH services through increased accessibility and availability in the States.
NAM includes a school health programme through AYUSH and public health outreach activities in managing community health problems, the Minister said.
