Divya Joyce
www.mediaeyenews.com
COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems. As we know that access to healthcare is a fundamental right, but the fear of COVID-19 everywhere has, in turn, affected many people’s primary healthcare provisions.
In March, we saw people desperately running for oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, and paying their hard-earned money to get even a primary facility. Even there has been an adverse impact on the profitability of medical device manufacturer who imports consumables, disposables and capital equipment from China.
In a recent press conference, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government has approved a Rs 1.1 lakh crore loan guarantee scheme for COVID-19 affected sectors, out of which Rs 50,000 crore has been earmarked for coverage of the health sector, aimed at upscaling medical infrastructure targeting underserved areas. She provided Rs 23,220 crore of additional funding for setting up children and pediatric care/pediatric beds at hospitals to prepare healthcare infrastructure to deal with any emergency arising for the fear of the Covid wave affecting young children.
Last month, the RBI has opened an on-tap liquidity window of Rs. 50,000 crore with tenors of up to three years at the repo rate of four percent till March 31, 2022, to boost the provision of immediate liquidity for ramping up Covid-related healthcare infrastructure and services in the country.
The government is working towards improving the healthcare sector by increasing hospitals, health care centers, providing free checkups and vaccines. With all these efforts taken by the government, we will be able to see improved quality of health care and health outcomes.
It’s a good move by the govt.