Contents:
- PM’s message on World Health Day
- Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
- Ministry of Human Resources Development launches “Samadhan”
PM’s message on World Health Day
Why in news?
PM has
given following message:
“Today on World Health Day, let us not only pray for each other’s good health and well-being but also reaffirm our gratitude towards all those doctors, nurses, medical staff and healthcare workers who are bravely leading the battle against the COVID-19 menace.”
Details about World Health Day:
- World Health Day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organisation which was founded in 1948.
- Therefore, in 1948 in Geneva, the World Health Assembly was held for the first time and it was decided to celebrate annually on 7th April as World Health Day.
- On this day, by WHO variety of events with a particular theme are organised at the international and national level.
- In the year 1950, World Health Day was first time celebrated worldwide.
What is the definition of ‘Health’?
As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), Health is a “State of complete physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Theme of World Health Day 2019 is Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere.
What is Universal health coverage?
Universal health coverage (UHC) is about ensuring all people and communities have access to quality health services where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship.
It includes the full spectrum of services needed throughout life—from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care—and is best based on a strong primary health care system.
Achieving UHC is one of the key targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Why in news:
Pharmacists, popularly known as “Swasth ke Sipahi”, of Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra , are deliverying essential services and medicines at doorstep of patients and elderly under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
Details:
PMJKs are being run by Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India(BPPI) under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana:
The scheme aims at educating the masses about the generic medicines and that high prices are not always synonymous with high quality. It intends to cover all therapeutic groups and create demand for generic medicines through medical practitioners.
Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers
PMBJP Features
- Under PMBJP, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) are set up across the country so as to reduce the out of pocket expenses for health care.
- The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals is involved in coordinating, procuring, supplying and marketing generic medicines through PMBJK.
- The procured generic medicines are sold at 50% to 90% lesser prices as compared to the market prices of branded medicines.
- All drugs procured under this scheme are tested for quality assurance at NABL (National Accreditation Board Laboratories) accredited laboratories and is compliant with WHO GMP (World Health Organisation’s Good Manufacturing Practices) benchmarks. Government grants of up to 2.5 Lakhs are provided for setting up of PMBJKs.
- They can be set up by doctors, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups, NGOs, Charitable Societies, etc. at any suitable place or outside the hospital premises.
- The railway ministry has given in-principle approval to opening up of Jan Aushadi Kendras at railway stations and other railway establishments under PMBJP. This is a significant move, as the access to generic medicines on railway stations would boost the accessibility, affordability of essential medicines and improve the convenience for the customers.
Ministry of Human Resources Development launches “Samadhan”
Why in news:
The Innovation Cell of the Ministry of Human Resources Development and All India Council for Technical Education in collaboration with Forge and InnovatioCuris launched a mega online challenge – SAMADHAN – to test the ability of students to innovate.
Details:
- Under the “Samadhan” challenge, the students and faculty will be motivated for doing new experiments and new discoveries and provide them with a strong base leading to spirit of experimentation and discovery.
- The success of this program depends on how effective are the ideas of participating contestants with ability to find solutions, technically and commercially, which in turn will help fight the epidemic like coronavirus.
- The students participating in this
challenge will search and develop such measures that can be made available
to the government agencies, health services, hospitals and other services
for quick solutions to the Coronavirus epidemic and other such calamities.
- Apart from this, through this “Samadhan” challenge, work will be done to make citizens aware, to motivate them to face any challenge, to prevent any crisis and to help people get livelihood.
