Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

In line with National Digital Heath Mission launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 15th August 2020, NCDC's Ayushman Sahakar aims to bring transformation in rural areas. By their strong presence in rural areas, it will bring a revolution in comprehensive health care services.

The Ministry of Agriculture has launched Ayushman Sahakar Scheme for assisting cooperation in the creation of health care infrastructure in the country.

Features of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

  • The scheme is formulated by the Nation Cooperative Development Corporation, the apex autonomous development finance institution under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare.
  • This scheme helps in boosting the provision of healthcare services offered by the cooperatives.
  • It specifically covers establishment, modernization, expansion, repairs, renovation of hospitals, and healthcare and education infrastructure.

Importance of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

  • It has a comprehensive approach-hospitals, healthcare, nursing education, medical education, paramedical education, or holistic health systems like AYUSH.
  • The COVID 19 Pandemic increases the need for the creation of more healthcare facilities.
  • There are almost 52 hospitals across the country run by cooperatives. They have a cumulative bed strength of more than 5000. The scheme boosts the provision of healthcare services offered by the cooperatives.
  • The scheme aligns itself with the focus of the National Health Policy, 2017, covering the health systems in all their dimensions- investments in health, organization of healthcare services, access to technologies, development of human resources, encouragement of medical pluralism, affordable health care to farmers, etc.

How the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme is being financed?

  • The National Development Corporation extends the term loans to prospective cooperatives up to Rs 10,000 crore in the coming years.
  • Any cooperative society who is having a suitable provision bylaw that can undertake health-related activities would be able to access the NCDC fund.
  • NCDC assistance will flow either through the State Governments/ UT Administrations or directly to the eligible cooperatives.
  • Apart from working capital and margin money to meet operational requirements, the scheme will also provide interest subvention of 1% to women majority cooperatives.

Benefits of Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

  • COVID 19 pandemic has brought into focus the requirement of the creation of more facilities.
  • Therefore, NCDC’s scheme will be a step towards strengthening farmers' welfare activities by the Central Government.
  • With this scheme, villagers will get many facilities including hospitals, medical colleges.