Which is the Government of India's Universal Health Coverage scheme?

P.CHO-2019

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Ayushman Bharat Yojana is the correct answer as it is the comprehensive, umbrella scheme for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India.
This program was launched to address healthcare holistically, covering primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
It has two major components: the creation of Health and Wellness Centers (now Ayushman Arogya Mandirs) for primary care, and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for financial protection during hospitalization.
Therefore, Ayushman Bharat represents the entire UHC initiative, not just one part of it.

Option A: There is no official national health scheme named 'Arogya Bharat Yojana' launched by the Government of India for universal health coverage.
Option B: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is only one component of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. It specifically provides health insurance for secondary and tertiary care.
Option D: Ujjwala Yojana is a scheme related to providing clean cooking fuel (LPG connections) to underprivileged households and is not a health insurance or healthcare scheme.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain National Health Programs of India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses, especially Community Health Officers (CHOs), are the backbone of the Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs). They are responsible for delivering comprehensive primary care, conducting screenings for diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, providing health education, and managing the center.
Nurses play a vital role in the continuum of care by identifying patients who need secondary or tertiary treatment and referring them to hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY, ensuring they can avail cashless services.
What if? If a patient with a PM-JAY card presents at a non-empanelled private hospital for an emergency, the nurse's role would be to provide immediate first aid and stabilization, and then guide the family on how to transfer the patient to the nearest empanelled facility to utilize their insurance benefits, preventing out-of-pocket expenditure.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the Government of India's 'Universal Health Coverage' (UHC) scheme.
This is a factual recall question. You need to access your knowledge of major national health programs in India.
Analyze the options. Notice that 'Ayushman Bharat' and 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' are related.
Recall that Ayushman Bharat is the main, overarching program, while PM-JAY is a specific insurance component within it.
Eliminate 'Ujjwala Yojana' as it relates to LPG, not healthcare, and 'Arogya Bharat Yojana' as it's not an official scheme name.
Select the option that represents the most comprehensive or umbrella program, which is Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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