Group constituted to prepare background paper for NHAM:Vardhan

The Narendra Modi Government has constituted a group for preparing a comprehensive background paper to implement the BJP's campaign promise of providing "accessible and affordable" universal health care to all. 

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed Rajya Sabha today that the government is considering to roll out a National Health Assurance Mission (NHAM) to reduce the "out of pocket" spending on health care by the common man.

BJP's manifesto had spoken about NHAM as an answer to the need for universal health care for all citizens. "A group has been constituted for preparing a comprehensive background paper for this purpose," he informed Rajya Sabha, replying to a question.

Presently, the Centre has been supplementing the efforts of the States and UTs under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to provide quality health care to the rural population.

In 2013, National Health Mission (NHM) was approved subsuming NRHM and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as its sub-missions. Vardhan, however, after taking over as the health minister had criticised both schemes, saying they have failed in meeting their goals.