AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme

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Union Minister of State for Agriculture launched AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme

Key features of the scheme 

• AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme a unique scheme to assist cooperatives play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country formulated by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

• Under the scheme, NCDC would extend term loans to prospective cooperatives to the tune of Rs.10,000 Crore in the coming years 
• NCDC’s 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. 
• It has a comprehensive approach-hospitals, healthcare, medical education, nursing education, paramedical education, health insurance and holistic health systems such as AYUSH. 
• Ayushman Sahakar scheme fund would also assist cooperative hospitals to take up medical / Ayush education.
• The scheme also provides working capital and margin money to meet operational requirements. The scheme provides interest subvention of one percent to women majority cooperatives.

Who can access the NCDC? 

• Any Cooperative Society with a suitable provision in its bylaws to undertake healthcare-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. 
• Subsidy/ grant from other sources can be dovetailed.

Significance 

• NCDC’s scheme will be a step towards strengthening farmers welfare activities by the Central Government
• The scheme would revolutionize the way healthcare delivery takes place in rural areas