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Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna

Ministry of Health & Family WelfareactivehealthLaunched: 2006-03-31

About the Scheme

The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) was launched in 2006 with the primary objective of correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and augmenting facilities for quality medical education in the country.

Target Beneficiaries: All 140 crore Indian citizens through comprehensive healthcare infrastructure development including 22 new AIIMS, upgraded medical colleges, and enhanced tertiary healthcare services especially for underserved regions

Implementing Agency: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • Establishment of new AIIMS-like institutions in various states to provide super-specialty healthcare.
  • Upgradation of existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions by constructing super-specialty blocks and providing advanced medical equipment.
  • Focus on improving both healthcare delivery and medical education infrastructure.
  • Aims to reduce the gap in tertiary healthcare facilities between urban and rural areas.
  • Entirely funded by the Central Government for new AIIMS, and substantial central assistance for upgradation projects.

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • States/Union Territories identified as underserved in tertiary healthcare infrastructure.
  • Existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions seeking to upgrade their facilities to super-specialty levels.
  • Regions lacking adequate medical education and tertiary care facilities as per national health indicators.

★Benefits

  • Improved access to affordable and reliable tertiary healthcare services for the general public.
  • Increased availability of quality medical education and research facilities, enhancing human resources in health.
  • Reduction in regional disparities in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
  • Creation of numerous employment opportunities in the healthcare and allied sectors.
  • Enhanced capacity for specialized medical treatments and advanced procedures.

▶Application Process

  • State Governments submit detailed proposals for the establishment of new AIIMS or upgradation of existing medical colleges.
  • Proposals are reviewed and evaluated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and expert committees.
  • Approval and sanction of funds are granted based on the assessment of need, feasibility, and alignment with scheme objectives.
  • Implementation and monitoring of projects are carried out by respective state governments/institutions with central oversight.
  • Regular progress reports and financial utilization certificates are submitted to the central government.

₹ Budget Allocation

3365

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Sector Scheme for AIIMS; 60:40 (90:10 for NE/Hilly) for State Medical College upgradation

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS2

Prelims Relevance8%
Mains Relevance9%

Syllabus Tags

National Health PolicyAyushman BharatHealthcare Infrastructure DevelopmentMedical Education ReformsPublic Health and GovernanceSustainable Development Goals (SDG 3)Regional Disparities in HealthcareHuman Resources for Health

Historical Context

Announced in 2003 by then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee to address the gap left by the 1956 establishment of AIIMS Delhi; formally launched in March 2006.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Primary and secondary healthcare facilities (focused only on tertiary care)
  • Private medical colleges and hospitals

Sub-Schemes

Setting up of New AIIMS

Establishment of AIIMS-like institutions in various states.

Upgradation of GMCs

Providing grants to upgrade existing state government medical colleges/institutions.

Challenges

  • Significant delays in completion of civil works and procurement of advanced medical equipment
  • Acute shortage of senior faculty and nursing staff in newer AIIMS located in tier-2 cities
  • Overcrowding at new AIIMS due to weak primary health referral systems
  • High maintenance costs of super-specialty equipment in remote locations

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Establishment of a dedicated 'Medical Faculty Cadre' to incentivize service in remote AIIMS
  • Integration of digital health (ABDM) at the inception stage of new institutions
  • Linking AIIMS with district hospitals for knowledge transfer (Hub and Spoke model)

Performance Statistics

Metric

22

Source: PIB/MoHFW

Metric

2000+

Source: MoHFW Annual Report

Critical Analysis

PMSSY represents a paradigm shift from a Delhi-centric tertiary healthcare model to a decentralized one, aiming to bridge the 'Medical Divide' between North and South/West India. While it has successfully democratized access to super-specialty care through 22 new AIIMS, it faces significant 'Functionalization Gaps'. Establishing infrastructure is faster than recruiting high-caliber faculty and researchers in remote areas. The scheme's success is often measured by 'bricks and mortar' rather than clinical outcomes or research output. However, its role in creating a secondary layer of COVID-19 management proved the strategic necessity of these regional hubs.

SDG Linkages

SDG 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage)SDG 4 (Quality Education for medical professionals)SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Constitutional Backing

Article 21 (Right to Life including Health)Article 47 (Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health)Seventh Schedule (Public Health and Sanitation is State List, but Medical Education is Concurrent List)

Technology Used

e-Sanjeevani (Telemedicine)Hospital Management Information System (HMIS)Advanced Diagnostic Imaging

Success Stories

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Regional Leadership

Key Takeaways

  • Objective: Correcting regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare
  • Two components: Setting up AIIMS-like institutions and Upgrading State Govt Medical Colleges
  • Approved 22 new AIIMS and 75 State Medical College projects

Probable Questions

To what extent has the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) succeeded in correcting the regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare in India?

MediumHigh

Mains Answer Fodder

PMSSY is a cornerstone for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and SDG 3. It serves as an example of 'Cooperative Federalism' where the Centre builds infrastructure and States provide land/utilities. Use it to discuss: 1. Reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) for tertiary care. 2. Correcting regional imbalances in medical education (UG/PG seats). 3. Strengthening the referral linkage from Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.

Convergence Schemes

  • Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
  • Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
  • National Health Mission

Sector Tags

HealthEducationInfrastructure