Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that Rs 424.59 lakh has been disbursed to health cooperatives over the past three years under the National Cooperative Development Corporation’s (NCDC) Ayushman Sahakar scheme.
Highlighting the government’s push to strengthen cooperative-led healthcare, Shah said the scheme aligns with the National Health Policy and adopts a comprehensive approach. It supports hospitals, healthcare infrastructure, medical and nursing education, paramedical training, health insurance, and holistic health systems including AYUSH, promoting community ownership, participation, and accountability in healthcare delivery.
Providing state-wise details, Shah said Rs 51.84 lakh was released to Tamil Nadu in 2022-23 for hospital expansion. In 2023-24, Kerala received Rs 275 lakh for establishing a Neurology Department and Trauma Care Unit, followed by Rs 97.75 lakh in 2024-25 for setting up a diagnostic centre.
He added that NCDC, through its 19 regional offices and 9 sub-offices, closely monitors implementation, ensures timely credit flow, and conducts regular field inspections to track progress and proper utilization of funds.
