Page 32 - Covid 12 July 2021

The report was released by Dr Paul, in the presence of CEO Mr Amitabh Kant, Additional Secretary, Dr Rakesh Sarwal, and representatives of hospitals across the country who participated in the study.
The study provides insights into the operation model of not-for-profit hospitals. It presents research- based findings on such hospitals – categorised under ownership and premise of service – and makes subsequent comparisons with private hospitals and health schemes of the Union Government.
NITI Aayog has been extensively studying the private sector healthcare delivery landscape in the country. While there exists adequate information on for-profit healthcare providers and institutions there is a dearth of reliable and structured information on their not-for-profit counterparts, known for their tireless service in making quality healthcare accessible and affordable to everyone.
The not-for-profit hospital sector provides not only curative but also preventive healthcare. It links healthcare with social reform, community engagement, and education. It uses government resources and grants to provide cost-effective healthcare to people without being concerned about profits. However, over the years, this sector has remained understudied.
The study discusses in detail the cost containment strategies implemented by not-for-profit hospitals. It seeks to understand the challenges that burden the operations of these institutions and hinder their growth.
The report proposes short- and long-term policy interventions, such as developing criteria to identify these hospitals, ranking them through a performance index, and promoting top hospitals for practicing philanthropy, among others. It also highlights the need to use the expertise of these hospitals in managing human resources with limited finance in remote areas.
Contact info:
health-pc@gov.in
Website link:
https://niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-06/Not-for-profitHospitalReport.pdf
Both pregnant woman and child can be saved by COVID-19 vaccine:
COVID-19 Working Group Chairman
Dr NK Arora, Chairperson of the COVID-19 Working Group of NTAGI spoke during the press conference regarding the vaccination guidelines for pregnant women, issued by the Health Ministry. Dr Arora informed that the increased mortality of pregnant women during the second wave of COVID-19 led to this decision. “During the second wave, it was seen that mortality rates of pregnant women infected by COVID-19 had increased by two to three times, in comparison to the first wave. In such a situation, it was felt that pregnant women should also become beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccine. In case of pregnant women, it involves the safety of two lives – the mother and the child in her womb. Hence, the country has decided to vaccinate pregnant women.”
VOL. IV ISSUE 6
VIGYAN PRASAR 28
NATION’S S&T EFFORTS AGAINST COVID-19