By 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 may people’s primary healthcare provisions. In March we saw people desperately running for oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, and paying tons of cash to get even a primary facility. This pandemic has taught a lesson that temples, statues and museums are not a necessary requirement but the hospital with world-class infrastructure is. Even there can be seen an adverse impact on the profitability of medical device manufacturer who imports consumables, disposables and capital equipment from China.
In a recent press conference, FM Sitaraman 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 health sector, aimed at upscaling medical infrastructure targeting underserved areas.
She provided Rs 23,220 crore of additional funding for setting up children and paediatric care/paediatric beds at hospitals to prepare healthcare infrastructure to deal with any emergency arising for Covid wave hitting 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 four per cent till March 31, 2022 to boost provision of immediate liquidity for ramping up Covid-related healthcare infrastructure and services in the country.
Government is working towards improving the healthcare sector by increasing hospitals, health care centres, providing free checkup and vaccine. With all these efforts taken by government, we will be able to see improved quality of health care and health outcomes.
