World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros AdhanomGhebreyesus on Saturday said that the COVID-19 pandemic which has presentedchallenges for several nations could be an opportunity for India to speed upthe health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat.
WHO Director-general Ghebreyesus while responding toa question on the COVID-19 situation in the country said that India went pastItaly on Friday to become the sixth worst-hit nation by the COVID-19 pandemic.
India has seen a record single-day jump of 9,887coronavirus cases and 294 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the nationwideinfection tally to 2,36,657 and the number of deaths to 6,642, according to thehealth ministry.
WHO Chief while addressing the media personnel at Genevasaid, "Of course COVID is very unfortunate and it's challenging for manynations but we need to look for opportunities too. For instance for India, thiscould be an opportunity to speed up Ayushman Bharat, especially with a focus onprimary health care. I know there is a very strong commitment from thegovernment to speed up the implementation of Ayushman Bharat and with primaryhealthcare and community engagement, I think we can really turn the tide."
Ayushman Bharat is the world's largest health insurance scheme and was launched by the Narendra Modi government in 2018. Last month, PM Modi had said that the number of people who have benefited from the scheme crossed the one crore mark.
The scheme aims to cover more than 500 millionbeneficiaries and provide coverage of Rs 500,000 per family, per year.
