On March 18, 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has included Ayushman Bharat or the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to fight against Corona Virus. So far India has recorded 168 confirmed cases of Corona Virus. OF these, India has cured 14 and three have so far died because of the virus.

Highlights

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has involved National Health Authority as well to fight against Corona Virus. The National Health Authority is the implementing agency of Ayushman Bharat. The scheme will help in identifying capacities of 19,840 empaneled hospitals to admit patients. Apart from this the ministry will also include non-profit hospitals to ramp up the facilities.

The plan is to identify these beds and set up an isolated ward for COVID-19 patients.

Other Measures

The Ministry has also included NITI Aayog and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to study hospital level preparedness. Also, database of ventilators and beds are to be collected.