Health Programmes & Schemes in Karnataka

Health Policy Objectives:

Karnataka's healthcare goals are focused on providing accessible, high-quality healthcare services uniformly across the state. Key objectives of Karnataka's health policy encompass:

1. Offering integrated and comprehensive primary healthcare
2. Establishing a reliable and sustainable referral system
3. Ensuring equitable delivery of quality healthcare
4. Promoting public-private partnerships to enhance healthcare accessibility, especially in underserved areas

1. Addressing emerging public health challenges
2. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure
3. Developing a skilled healthcare workforce 
4. Enhancing access to safe and affordable medications 
5. Expanding options for alternative medicine systems 

Karnataka is dedicated to achieving these goals, striving to deliver improved healthcare services and accessibility to all its residents. 

Healthcare Infrastructure in Karnataka:

Karnataka's healthcare infrastructure is organised into a three-tier rural public health system comprising primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. 

1. Primary Level: At the primary level, the state is equipped with Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres, and Community Health Centres to provide essential healthcare services. 
2. Secondary Level: The secondary level of healthcare is served by District Hospitals, which offer more specialised medical care and services. 

1. Tertiary Level: Karnataka's healthcare system at the tertiary level includes medical colleges and speciality hospitals, where advanced and specialised medical treatments are provided. 

This three-tier structure ensures comprehensive healthcare coverage across the state. 

Primary Healthcare Centers in Karnataka:

Karnataka has consistently been a pioneer in delivering healthcare services, boasting an extensive network that caters to both urban and rural areas. In fact, Karnataka initiated the establishment of several primary healthcare centres even before the Government of India had conceived the idea of such centres. 

The primary objective behind setting up these primary health centres was to offer comprehensive healthcare services, encompassing prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, to the rural population. Each primary healthcare centre is overseen by a medical officer who is supported by a team of paramedical and other healthcare professionals. These primary healthcare centres serve as the initial point of contact between the rural populace and medical practitioners, ensuring vital healthcare accessibility to those in need.

Healthcare Sub-Centers in Karnataka:

The healthcare sub-centre serves as an integral unit of Karnataka's healthcare system, acting as the initial point of contact between the primary healthcare system and the rural populace. In each sub-centre, there is an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) or one female health worker and one male health worker.

These sub-centres are responsible for executing various tasks associated with primary healthcare, particularly in the realms of maternal and child health, immunisation, nutrition, family welfare, diarrhoea control, and the management of communicable diseases. Additionally, sub-centres are equipped with essential medications to address minor ailments among the general public.

Community Health Centers in Karnataka:

Community health centres in Karnataka play a crucial role in offering both referral and specialised healthcare services to rural communities. These centres serve as block-level health administrative units and also function as referral points for more advanced medical facilities. 

Each community health centre is under the supervision of medical specialists such as surgeons, physicians, gynaecologists, and paediatricians. These specialists are complemented by a team of paramedical and support staff. Community health centres are essentially hospitals equipped with Operating Theatres (OT), X-ray facilities, labour rooms, and fully functional laboratories. Furthermore, these centres provide obstetric care and offer specialised medical consultations to cater to the healthcare needs of the rural population effectively.

Healthcare Schemes & Its Benefits:

Providing comprehensive medical cover to all its citizens has been the objective of the Karnataka government and in achieving this, it has garnered the reputation of being a pioneer in the delivery of public health service in the country. Even before the Central Government was able to conceptualise the establishment of primary health centres, the Karnataka government had established a good number of Primary Health Units. These units deliver comprehensive healthcare services comprising of Preventive, Curative, Promotive, and Rehabilitation health care to the residents of the state.

The Health Department of Karnataka holds the belief that health is a valuable asset of every community and hence, it renders below services as part of its 'Common Minimum Needs Programme'. These services are administered through a network of health and medical institutions to the people living in the state.

Vajpayee Arogyashree Scheme:

1. Individuals of all age groups are eligible to enrol in this scheme, as there is no upper age limit imposed.
2. The scheme extends its benefits to a maximum of five family members.
3. Every family is granted an annual coverage of Rs. 1.5 lakh on a floater basis, and in case this limit is exhausted, an additional sum of Rs. 50,000 is made available.
4. All enrolled family members can utilise the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Health Card to receive free treatment, including coverage for any pre-existing medical conditions.
5. It's important to note that this scheme is entirely funded by the State Government, and as a result, there is no requirement for premium payments.
6. Beneficiaries have access to a list of 60 procedures for follow-up treatment on an annual basis.

Rajiv Arogya Bhagya Scheme:

1. This scheme is specifically designed to cater to individuals falling under the Above Poverty Line (APL) category.
2. Beneficiaries with valid APL cards issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department of the Government of Karnataka are considered eligible under this scheme.
3. The scheme covers tertiary treatment under seven broad specialities, which include Cardiology comprising cardiothoracic surgery, cardiovascular surgery and other cardiac procedures, Neurosurgery encompassing Cranial, Spinal, and peripheral neurosurgical procedures, Genitourinary Surgeries covering renal and congenital genital malformations, Oncology both medical, surgical, and radiation, Paediatric Surgeries encompassing neonatal procedures, Polytrauma involving injuries with multi-organ involvement, and Burns including electrical shocks and scalds.
4. The scheme encompasses a total of 663 surgical procedures that fall within the aforementioned broad speciality groups.

Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme:

1. Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme encompasses a comprehensive list of 449 medical procedures spanning seven specialised fields, including neurology, oncology, cardiology, burns, polytrauma cases excluding medico-legal cases, as well as genitourinary, neonatal, and paediatric surgical procedures.
2. Subscribers of the Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme are entitled to healthcare services valued at Rs 1.5 lakh annually. This coverage encompasses expenses related to hospitalisation, doctor consultations, meals, transportation, complication management, medications, as well as pre-operative and post-operative medical care.
3. In instances where treatment takes place in the general ward of any of the facilities specified in the Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme hospital network, government employees are responsible for 30% of the charges, with the remaining 70% covered by the government.
4. For admissions to the super-speciality wards featured in the Jyothi Sanjeevini Scheme hospital list, the government bears 50% of the charges.

Janani Suraksha Yojana: 

1. Pregnant women can avail of three antenatal checkups and institutional delivery services with Janani Suraksha Yojana.
2. Cash assistance and enhanced benefits are provided to encourage institutional deliveries, ensuring safer childbirth.
3. The scheme promotes deliveries at healthcare institutions supervised by qualified healthcare professionals.
4. Cash assistance is tiered, focusing on women below the poverty line, motivating them to opt for institutional deliveries.
5. ASHA workers and equivalent healthcare personnel receive incentives as part of the program.
6. Traditional birth attendants, called 'Dai,' undergo training to integrate into the formal delivery care system.
7. Professional assistance is available for Caesarean deliveries. Without government-employed specialists, financial support of up to Rs. 1,500 per pregnant woman is provided for engaging private experts.
8. Beneficiaries receive compensation when Tubectomy or Laparoscopic surgery is recommended.
9. Auxiliary Nurse Midwives and health workers are granted Rs. 5,000 each as part of the Janani Suraksha Yojana scheme, subject to specific terms and conditions.

Mission Indradhanush:

1. Mission Indradhanush was launched with a mission to immunise kids against 7 diseases that can be prevented by vaccination - polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tuberculosis, measles, tetanus, and hepatitis B.
2. The scheme was implemented in 2 phases. In the first phase, 201 districts were covered while in the second phase, 82 districts were covered.
3. The scheme has been launched in partnership with WHO, UNICEF and Rotary International.

Rashtriya Bala Swasthya Karyakrama:

1. The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram Scheme aims at enhancing children's overall quality of life, enabling them to reach their full potential, and providing comprehensive healthcare to all children within the community.
2. The program involves systematically screening children from birth to 18 years old to identify and address the '4 Ds' – Defects at birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Developmental delays. It encompasses the early detection and free treatment of 32 common health conditions, including surgical interventions at tertiary healthcare facilities.
3. Through screening, children diagnosed with specific health conditions receive early intervention services and ongoing care at the district level. These services are provided at no cost, alleviating the financial burden on their families.
4. The program collaborates closely with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, particularly for children aged 0 to 6 years enrolled at Anganwadi centres. The Ministry of Human Resource Development screens children attending Government and Government-aided schools. Newborns are screened for birth defects in healthcare facilities by medical professionals and during home visits by ASHA workers

National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment:

1. The National Program for Control of Blindness was initiated in 1976 to reduce the prevalence of blindness from 1.4% in 1974 to 0.3% by 2020. This goal was to be achieved through developing eye care infrastructure, human resources, and the enhancement of accessibility and quality of eye care services.
2. According to the 2007 survey, the prevalence of blindness had reduced to 1.0% at that time. The most recent data from the National Survey conducted from 2015 to 2019 indicates that the current prevalence rate of blindness is 0.36%.
3. Cataract remains the running cause of blindness, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the blind population. Cataract surgery aims to restore vision for affected individuals by providing a comprehensive package of services that enable them to regain their sight and return to their normal activities.
4. Other significant causes of blindness include refractive errors, childhood blindness, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, low vision, ocular injury, age-related macular degeneration, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), and corneal blindness.

Prasooti Araike Scheme: 

1. Beneficiaries of the Prasooti Araike Scheme will receive financial aid, including Rs. 1,000 during the second-trimester antenatal checkup (between the 4th and 6th month of pregnancy) and Rs. 1,000 during the third-trimester antenatal checkup (between the 7th and 9th month of pregnancy), resulting in a total payment of Rs. 2,000 through a bearer cheque.
2. This scheme is available to all pregnant women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. SC and ST lactating mothers are entitled to financial assistance of Rs. 3,000. Lactating mothers in the BPL category can receive financial assistance of Rs. 2,000.
3. These benefits aim to support pregnant women, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, in accessing essential healthcare and financial aid during pregnancy.

Karnataka Madilu Kit Scheme:

1. Beneficiaries of the Madilu Kit Scheme receive a Madilu Kit comprising 19 daily-use items. The cost of each kit is  Rs. 1,500. Offering Rs. 1,000 to women who deliver their child in a private hospital. 
2. It empowers rural communities through skill development and fostering entrepreneurship, creating sustainable livelihoods and reducing poverty in rural areas. 
3. It enhances social and economic well-being within rural communities. It is increasing income-generating opportunities for program participants. 
4. This will provide access to micro-financing options and establish market linkages. It will also be promoting gender equality and social inclusion within rural settings. It is Strengthening rural economies and supporting local industries. 

Arogya Karnataka Programme:

Apart from the schemes mentioned above, the government of Karnataka has launched a universal health insurance scheme for all its residents, in March 2018. The scheme is called as Arogya Karnataka and with this, Karnataka has become the first state in India to implement a scheme that offers universal health coverage (UHC). The scheme offers a cover of Rs.1.5 lakh per family per year and will benefit at least 1.43 crore households in Karnataka.

The Arogya Karnataka scheme offers the below features:

1. All families falling under the BPL category can avail free treatment at empanelled hospitals. People in the APL category will have to pay 70% of the treatment costs while the rest will be borne by the state government.
2. For specified healthcare treatments, the government will offer a financial assistance of up to Rs.30,000 in a year for a family comprising of 5 members.
3. For tertiary treatments, the annual limit will be raised to Rs.1.5 lakh per year.
4. Primary Health Institutes (PHI) will deliver primary healthcare treatments while tertiary healthcare facilities can only be availed at designated hospitals. Beneficiaries can avail secondary treatment at private hospitals only if the necessary procedure is unavailable at the government hospitals.
5. Patients wishing to avail the benefits of the Arogya Karnataka scheme have to produce the UHC card issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare.