Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems in the country and announced that the government will launch a national telemental health program.
While presenting the Budget for 2022-’23the finance minister said the program will include a network of 23 telemental health centers of excellence across the country.
Technology takes center stage for the health sector in #budget2022
Announcement of the ‘National Digital Health Ecosystem’ and the ‘National Tele Mental Health Program’#AatmanirbharBharatKaBudget
Read: https://t.co/7YknIZksMU pic.twitter.com/35dWZ0qm4j
— Indian GDP (@GDP_India) February 1, 2022
The centers would help improve access to quality mental health care and counseling services, Sitharaman said, adding that the Bangalore-based National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, or NIMHANS, would be its hub.
The International Institute of Information Technology in Bangalore will provide technology support for the mental health program, the finance minister said.
There is no health without mental health.
To improve access to quality mental health services, a ‘National Tele-Mental Health Programme’ will be launched with a network of 23 tele-mental health centers of excellence, with NIMHANS as the hub.#AatmaNirbharBharatKaBudget pic.twitter.com/UILGEKTw9q
— Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) February 1, 2022
In his speech on Tuesday, Sitharaman announced that the disbursement for Health & Wellness it will be Rs 86,606 crore, an increase of Rs 12,004 or 16% from 2021-’22.
“A new open platform for the National Digital Health Ecosystem will be implemented,” Sitharaman said. “It will comprehensively consist of digital health provider and health facility records, unique health identity, consent framework, and provide universal access to health facilities.”
Sitharaman also announced that nearly two lakh anganwadis will be upgraded in the country under the Center’s Saksham scheme.
Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, Saksham Anganwadi, and Poshon 2.0 recently launched to provide integrated benefits to women and children. Saksham Anganwadis is providing an enhanced environment for early childhood development – FM @nsitharaman
#AatmaNirbharBharatKaBudget pic.twitter.com/9mKMVu9KKU— Indian GDP (@GDP_India) February 1, 2022
Saksham’s scheme was first announced in the 2021-22 budget speech under Mission Poshan 2.0. The scheme aims to upgrade anganwadi centers with additional facilities, including smart learning, smart teaching and childcare.
In his speech, Sitharaman acknowledged the ongoing vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, saying that it had significantly helped fight the pandemic.
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