From the Guidelines
India has a national health program that covers over 500 million people, providing cashless benefits for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization, including for conditions such as STEMI.
Key Features of the Program
- The program provides coverage up to $7000 per family per year [ 1 ]
- It is a government-sponsored plan that aims to promote widespread healthcare coverage for vulnerable populations
- The program is part of a larger effort to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to care in India, including the development of STEMI systems of care [ 1 ]
Other Health Initiatives in India
- India has also been involved in digital health initiatives, including the development of national eHealth strategies and the use of digital health innovations to improve healthcare access and quality [ 1 ]
- The government has convened Advisory Committees to advocate for improvements in the enabling environment for digital health, and has partnered with international organizations to support the scaling of successful digital health solutions [ 1 ]
Importance of Government Support and Infrastructure
- Government participation and support are crucial for the success of any health program, including STEMI programs [ 1 ]
- A clear partnership among various key stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and healthcare providers, is necessary to ensure the effective implementation and scaling of health programs [ 1 ]
From the Research
Health Programs in India
The Indian government has launched several public health programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes, as well as to provide universal health coverage. Some of the key programs include:
- National Health Mission (NHM) 2
- Ayushman Bharat Program 3
- National Village Health Guide Scheme 4
- Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH + A) program under NHM 2
- Health and Wellness Centers, and National Health Protection Scheme (now renamed as Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission) 3
Key Features of Health Programs
These programs aim to:
- Improve maternal and child health outcomes 5
- Provide universal health coverage 3, 6
- Strengthen the existing public health framework 2
- Provide a continuum of care for rare diseases 2
- Increase accessibility, availability, and affordability of primary, secondary, and tertiary care health services 3
Challenges and Limitations
Despite the efforts, there are challenges and limitations to these programs, including: