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Published on:
February 14, 2023
By
Prudhvi Raj

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) is a government-run health scheme in India, launched by the Prime Minister in 2003. The main objective of the PMSSY is to correct the imbalances in the availability of affordable and quality healthcare facilities in different parts of the country, and to enhance the medical education infrastructure in India.

Under PMSSY, six new AIIMS-like institutions have been set up across India, along with the upgradation of existing medical colleges and the creation of new teaching faculties. The scheme also aims to increase the availability of healthcare personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, by increasing the number of medical and nursing schools in the country.

PMSSY is aimed at providing quality medical facilities to the people of India, especially those living in rural and under-served areas. It is a part of the larger efforts by the Indian government to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for all its citizens.

1. Objectives of PMSSY:

The main objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) are:

A. To correct the regional imbalances in the availability of affordable and quality medical facilities in different parts of the country.

B. To enhance the medical education infrastructure in India by setting up six new AIIMS-like institutions and upgrading existing medical colleges.

C. To increase the availability of healthcare personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, by increasing the number of medical and nursing schools in the country.

D. To provide quality medical facilities to the people of India, especially those living in rural and under-served areas.

E. To create a network of healthcare facilities that are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by highly skilled healthcare personnel.

F. To reduce the burden of out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment by increasing the availability of affordable healthcare services.

G. To provide a comprehensive healthcare system that covers preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services.

H. To promote public-private partnerships to enhance the quality and accessibility of medical facilities.

The ultimate goal of PMSSY is to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for all citizens of India, especially those living in remote and underserved areas.

2. Features of PMSSY:

The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has several key features that distinguish it from other health schemes in India:

A. Setting up of AIIMS-like institutions: 

PMSSY provides for the setting up of six new AIIMS-like institutions in various parts of the country, with the aim of providing quality medical education and healthcare services.

B. Upgradation of medical colleges:

PMSSY aims to upgrade existing medical colleges and improve the medical education infrastructure in India.

C. Creation of new teaching faculties:

PMSSY provides for the creation of new teaching faculties in medical colleges to meet the increasing demand for healthcare personnel.

D. Increased availability of healthcare personnel:

PMSSY aims to increase the availability of healthcare personnel, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, by increasing the number of medical and nursing schools in the country.

E. Quality medical facilities:

PMSSY aims to provide quality medical facilities to the people of India, especially those living in rural and under-served areas.

F. State-of-the-art technology: 

PMSSY seeks to create a network of healthcare facilities that are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by highly skilled healthcare personnel.

G. Reduction of out-of-pocket expenses: 

PMSSY aims to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment by increasing the availability of affordable healthcare services.

H. Comprehensive healthcare system: 

PMSSY provides for a comprehensive healthcare system that covers preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services.

I. Public-private partnerships:

PMSSY promotes public-private partnerships to enhance the quality and accessibility of medical facilities.

Overall, the features of PMSSY aim to provide a comprehensive and integrated healthcare system that is accessible, affordable, and of high quality for all citizens of India.

3. Concerns of PMSSY:

Despite its many objectives and features, the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has faced several challenges and concerns over the years. Some of these include:

A. Slow implementation:

The implementation of PMSSY has been slow, with many of the new AIIMS-like institutions and upgraded medical colleges not yet fully operational.

B. Shortage of healthcare personnel:

Despite the aim of increasing the availability of healthcare personnel, there remains a shortage of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in many parts of the country.

C. Lack of financial resources:

PMSSY has faced challenges in securing sufficient financial resources to achieve its objectives, leading to delays in the implementation of the scheme.

D. Quality of care:

There are concerns about the quality of care provided in some of the medical facilities established under PMSSY, with inadequate staffing and outdated equipment being cited as major challenges.

E. Accessibility:

Despite its aim to provide accessible healthcare, PMSSY has faced challenges in reaching remote and underserved areas, with limited transportation and lack of awareness about the scheme among the population.

F. Integration with existing healthcare system: 

PMSSY faces challenges in integrating with the existing healthcare system, leading to inefficiencies and duplication of services.

G. Political interference:

There have been instances of political interference in the functioning of the AIIMS-like institutions, leading to concerns about their independence and autonomy.

Inadequate monitoring and evaluation: There have been concerns about the lack of adequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and impact of PMSSY.

These challenges and concerns need to be addressed effectively in order to ensure the successful implementation of PMSSY and to achieve its goal of providing accessible and quality healthcare for all citizens of India.

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