Budget 2018: Jaitley proposes 'world's largest govt-funded health programme'

Under the National Health Protection Scheme Rs 5 lakh will be provided to per family per year for medical reimbursement. " This will be world's largest health protection scheme," he claimed

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley proposed a flagship National Health Protection Scheme to cover 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, benefiting approximately 50 crore. He said, " ..Have decided to take healthcare protection to a new aspirational level."

Under the National Health Protection Scheme Rs 5 lakh will be provided to per family per year for medical reimbursement. " This will be world's largest health protection scheme," he claimed.

• The health scheme will be known as 'Ayushman Bharat' to be the world's largest government-funded health protection scheme, covering 40 per cent of India's population
• Ayushman Bharat will reduce Out of Pocket expenditure considerable for poor and vulnerable sections, increasing disposable incomes
• It will ensure 'OneIndia, OneTreatment', the scheme to be paperless, cashless and portable countrywide.
• Ayushman Bharat Program for addressing health care holistically. 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres will be set up to provide diagnostic services and free essential drugs

"The Government is slowly but steadily progressing towards universal health coverage," Jatley added. Also, he announced one government medical college to be ensured for every 3 parliamentary constituencies by upgrading 24 district-level colleges.

In the 2017-18 budget, the government allocated Rs 48,853 crore to Health and Family Welfare and Rs 26,691 crore for National Rural Health Mission (NHM).

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