Free Medicine Scheme of Rajasthan
The flagship free medicine scheme of Rajasthan government has bagged 1st position amongst 16 states, in the monthly rankings issued by the National Health Mission (NHM).
About the Scheme
- Rajasthan Mukhyamantri Nishulk Dava Yojana was launched on 2nd October 2011, by the then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
- It had 2 components-
- Free Medicines: To provide commonly-used essential medicines free of cost to patients visiting government healthcare institutions (introduced on 2nd October 2011), and
- Free Tests: To provide free tests (introduced on 7th April 2013).
- For the successful implementation of the same, Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Limited (RMSCL) was incorporated as a Public Limited Company.
- Since 2011, it has benefitted around 67 crore patients, and a record number of 712 medicines are covered under it.
- National Health Mission under its Free Drug Service Initiative, started giving rankings to the states, in order to encourage them to provide free drugs to their patients coming to public health facilities.
- The performance of the states was assessed by NHM on the basis of 10 parameters. A few of them are,
- The stock of drugs,
- Value of drugs about to expire, and
- Effective compliance with the Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS), etc.
- The main aim of this initiative was to reduce out of pocket expenditure of patients suffering from cancer, heart and kidney-related diseases, and other severe ailments.
- This initiative of NHM is implemented by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in order to support the states.
Way Forward
- Rewarding the states will act as a catalyst for ensuring the inclusive accessibility and affordability of health care services to the most downtrodden and the poorest sections of our society.
- This will also promote the spirit of co-operative and competitive federalism, whereby other states can take the lead and follow similar successful initiatives.