Jan Aushdhi Pariyojna: A Much-Needed Initiative for the Poor: Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare

Abstract

In India, every year millions die of several kinds of illnesses for their inability to meet expenses of medical care. If diagnosed with any fatal illness the poor stand very little chance of survival. Many a time while Government hospitals are found not well equipped with all facilities and private hospitals are found to be too expensive to afford. In 2008, UPA government launched JAN AUSHADHI, a novel project to make essential medicines available to all at reasonable prices through a new variety of government supported pharma stores in the country. The Programme received a fresh lease of life after being renamed as PMBJP in the year (2015) under the NDA Government Narendra Modi. It had a new strategic Action Plan and received much larger financial allocation in the Central Budget.However this scheme couldn’t meet its desired objectives due to poor policy implementation and noncooperation received from medical practioners and Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These Programmes need to be on a learning curve to reform them continuously to be more effective to promote the cause of public welfare.