Oommen C. Kurian

Nov 11, 2024 | orfonline.org | Oommen C. Kurian |Nimisha Chadha

World Pneumonia Day highlights the urgent need to protect vulnerable lives from pneumonia's devastating tollImage Source: Getty The persistent Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, which was first identified by more than a century ago by microbiologists Louis Pasteur and George Sternberg, has become one of humankind's greatest foes. Each year, pneumonia remains among the leading causes of death worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare access is limited.

Sep 30, 2024 | or-f.org | Oommen C. Kurian

The current momentum in government funding within the health sector needs to be maintained if India has to get near the national goal of public sector spending on healthImage Source: Getty Research studies over the last decade have shown that out-of-pocket expenditures (OOPE) in health push 3 percent to 7 percent of Indian households below the poverty line every year, with rural and poorer states facing a higher impact.

Sep 30, 2024 | orfonline.org | Oommen C. Kurian

Image Source: Getty Research studies over the last decade have shown that out-of-pocket expenditures (OOPE) in health push 3 percent to 7 percent of Indian households below the poverty line every year, with rural and poorer states facing a higher impact. Disadvantaged groups bear a greater financial burden from OOPE in health, and therefore, it has lately been a high-focus area of health policy in India.

Sep 13, 2024 | or-f.org | Oommen C. Kurian

Image Source: Getty In a major policy development, the Union Cabinet approved universalisation of health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat—Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to all Indians above 70 years of age on 11 September 2024. Earlier this year, Prime Minister (PM) Modi had announced at the launch of the BJP’s election manifesto that the government was determined to include every senior citizen above 70 years of age in the PMJAY scheme.

Sep 13, 2024 | orfonline.org | Oommen C. Kurian

Image Source: Getty In a major policy development, the Union Cabinet approved universalisation of health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat—Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to all Indians above 70 years of age on 11 September 2024. Earlier this year, Prime Minister (PM) Modi had announced at the launch of the BJP’s election manifesto that the government was determined to include every senior citizen above 70 years of age in the PMJAY scheme.