Content:
1. National Energy Conservation Day
2. Steps taken by the Government to reduce Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
National Energy Conservation Day
Introduction
- Celebrated annually on December 14 to promote energy conservation and efficiency.
- Symbolizes India’s commitment to sustainable development under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power.
Relevance: GS 3(Energy, Environment)
Significance:
- Highlights the importance of energy conservation.
- Introduced in 1991 to encourage sustainable energy practices.
National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA):
- Instituted in 1991 to honor industries and institutions excelling in energy efficiency.
- Recognizes innovative measures and sets benchmarks for energy conservation.
- NECA 2024 to spotlight impactful projects and inspire adoption of best practices.
Government Initiatives
Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT):
- Targets energy reduction in energy-intensive industries.
- Saves ₹55,000 crore annually; avoids 110 million tons of CO₂ emissions.
Standards and Labelling (S&L):
- Informs consumers about energy-efficient appliances.
- Covers 38 appliances, including 16 under mandatory labeling.
Go Electric Campaign:
- Promotes adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric cooking.
EV Yatra Portal & App:
- Launched in 2022 to provide EV charging station data and promote e-mobility.
UJALA Scheme:
- Provides affordable LED bulbs and tube lights to domestic consumers.
- Saves 176.2 billion kWh annually; reduces 125 million tons of CO₂ emissions.
Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP):
- Replaces conventional street lights with LED lights.
- Saves 8.76 billion kWh/year and reduces 6.03 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
The Road Ahead
- Emphasizes collective efforts in energy conservation.
- Aligns individual actions with national goals for a sustainable and greener future.
Steps Taken By The Government To Reduce Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) refers to payment made by individuals or households for healthcare services without reimbursement from insurance , government programs , etc
Relevance: GS 2(Health, Governance)
It includes expenses for:
- Doctor consultations
- Medicines
- Diagnostic tests
- Hospitalization charges
- Medical equipment or devices
- Other healthcare-related costs not covered by insurance.
Why is OOPE significant?
- Financial Burden: High OOPE can lead to finlancial distress, pushing families into poverty, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
- Healthcare Access: High OOPE reduces access to healthcare for economically weaker sections.
- Policy Indicator: A high percentage of OOPE indicates inadequate public health funding and weak insurance systems.
Decline in OOPE
- Reduction: OOPE as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) reduced from 48.8% in 2017-18 to 39.4% in 2021-22.
- State-wise Improvements: States like Karnataka, Assam, and Jammu & Kashmir showed significant reductions in OOPE.
Increased Budget Allocation for Healthcare
- Department of Health & Family Welfare:Budget allocation increased by 85% from ₹47,353 crore (2017-18) to ₹87,657 crore (2024-25).
- 15th Finance Commission Grants: ₹70,051 crore allocated through local governments for health.
Ayushman Bharat Initiatives
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs):
- 1,75,418 centers established by transforming Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
- Provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care.
PM-JAY:
- Health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
- Covers approximately 55 crore beneficiaries, constituting 40% of the population.
- Health coverage extended to senior citizens (70+) irrespective of income.
National Health Mission (NHM)
- Strengthens health infrastructure, human resources, and accessibility to quality healthcare, especially for underserved rural populations.
Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
- Focuses on developing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare capacities.
- Budget: ₹64,180 crore.
- Establishes new institutions to manage emerging diseases.
- Affordable Medicine and Diagnostic Services
- National Free Drugs and Diagnostics Services: Reduces OOPE by ensuring essential drugs and diagnostic facilities at public health centers.
- PM Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Provides quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
- AMRIT Pharmacies: Offer affordable medicines and implants in hospitals.
Encouraging States to Increase Health Budgets
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) urged states to enhance health budgets by at least 10% annually.
Impact Highlights
- OOPE Decline: States like Kerala, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh witnessed notable improvements.
- Infrastructure Growth: Rural and urban health centers strengthened, improving access to care.
- Financial Protections: Insurance coverage via PM-JAY reduced catastrophic health expenditures.
