The Government on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that over 14,000 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) have been opened in the country as on October 21 to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
In a written response to a question, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Scheme, 2,047 types of medicines and 300 surgical devices have been brought under its ambit, including cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic drugs. The PMBJP scheme was launched by the government to set up dedicated outlets known as PMBJKs to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices. On the progress made under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the country, Nadda said non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diagnosed and treated at various levels in health care facilities. The treatment in government hospitals is either free or highly subsidised for the poor and needy. Treatment of major NCDs are also available under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). This scheme provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 crore families constituting the bottom 40 per cent of India’s population. The Centre has also recently approved health coverage for all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their income under PMJAY, Nadda said. Nadda said the latest ABPM-JAY package provides cashless healthcare services related to 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties.
These treatments are available at a network of more than 29,929 hospitals empanelled under the scheme, Nadda said. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT), an initiative launched by the Union Health Ministry aims to provide affordable medicines for treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases. As on November 30, 2024 there are 218 AMRIT pharmacies spread across 29 states and Union Territories, selling more than 6,500 drugs (including cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, stents, etc), implants, surgical disposables and other consumables at a significant discounts up to 50 per cent on market rates, Nadda said.
The Centre implements the strengthening of tertiary cancer care centres facilities scheme in order to enhance the facilities for cancer care at tertiary level.
The National Health Mission provides support for improvement in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to health facilities, to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care especially for the underserved and marginalised groups in rural areas, Nadda informed.
