NHA to integrate databases of welfare schemes to boost PM-JAY coverage

Context 

The Union Health Ministry said the National Health Authority (NHA) is working to integrate the database of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 beneficiaries with the National Food Security Act (NFSA) portal. 

Key-Points 

• NHA has collaborated with various ministries implementing welfare schemes to strengthen the different aspects of scheme implementation including inter alia beneficiary awareness campaigns, beneficiary database (SECC 2011) enrichment etc. 
• The beneficiary database enrichment under AB PM-JAY would mean adding additional parameters to the database for ease of search. 
• The majority of AB PM-JAY beneficiaries from SECC 2011 are also eligible for benefits under the National Food Security Portal (NFSA). 
• NHA is also working on a proposal to use Fair Price Shops or Ration shops for providing information related to the scheme and entitlement under the scheme to eligible beneficiaries. 
• This will provide an additional avenue to beneficiaries along with the existing Common Service Center for card creation. This will make the beneficiary identification process very convenient.
• However, the existing beneficiary data available with various Government welfare schemes can be meaningfully utilized only if a common identifier is available. 
• Aadhaar being a common identity across the majority of Government databases will enable this integration.  
• Further, Aadhaar also ensures certainty regarding beneficiary identification through e-KYC.
• e-KYC enables paperless delivery of services in a targeted manner.

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)

• AB-PMJAY provides health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. Insurance is provided for secondary and tertiary care-related hospitalizations.
• Cashless and paperless access to services is provided to the beneficiaries at the point of service.
• The Health Benefits Packages covers surgery, medical and daycare treatments, the cost of medicines and diagnostics.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Under the scheme, 10.74 crore beneficiary families have been identified, from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011 on the basis of 6 deprivation and 11 occupational criteria respectively in rural and urban areas.
• Majority of beneficiaries from SECC, 2011 are also eligible for benefits under National Food Security Portal (NFSA).

About National Health Authority (NHA)

• The National Health Authority (NHA) has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments.
• NHA is responsible for implementing the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). 
• It was set-up to implement PM-JAY at national level.
• It is the successor of the National Health Agency. 
• The National Health Agency was reconstituted as National Health Authority in January 2019.
• The State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.