New Delhi:Optimum delivery of health schemes to every intended beneficiary, including those in the last mile, will lead to achieving the goal of Universal health coverage, President Droupadi Murmu said on Wednesday. Launching the 'Ayushman Bhavah' campaign, Murmu said it is a comprehensive nationwide healthcare initiative that aims to provide saturation coverage of healthcare services in every village and town in the country.
"I have been told that multi-ministerial approach is being taken to implement the programme. To achieve such a big target everyone's cooperation is critical," the president said. "No person should be left behind and no village should be left behind i.e. 100 per cent people can avail health services. This goal will make our country successful in achieving the objective of Universal health coverage in true sense," the President said.
The prime minister has given central importance to Mahatma Gandhi's idea of 'Antyodaya' in his activities. This campaign to provide health services to the last person in the last village is inspired by the ideal of 'Antyodaya', the president said. The president noted that during the G20 meeting members nations put forth a clear road map for the G20 2023 action plan for accelerating progress on the sustainable development goals.
"The government of India has set localised sustainable development goals in order to achieve the UN's SDG 2030. Under this, a major focus is on development works at the rural level," she said. Village panchayats that successfully saturate the health schemes will earn the prestigious title of 'Ayushman Gram Panchayat' or 'Ayushman Urban Ward,' symbolising their dedication to equitable healthcare provision, she said.
The campaign, which has been launched on Tuesday, will be implemented during the 'Seva Pakhwada' starting from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17 and continue till October 2, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. The campaign is a collaborative effort spearheaded by gram panchayats in coordination with the Department of Health, other government departments, and local elected bodies in rural and urban areas.