Ayushman Bharat for transgenders
Ayushman
Bharat for transgenders
Why is it in news?
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Recently a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National
Health Authority (NHA) and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to
provide an inclusive and holistic health facility to transgender persons under
Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY).
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This is a historic step for transgender persons which will further improve
their standard of living. On this occasion, Union Health Minister Mansukh
Mandaviya said that fundamental social change can be brought about through
decisive action of the government.
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This MoU was signed by Dr. RS Sharma, CEO of NHA and R. Subramaniam, Secretary,
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. Ensuring fair and respectable
place for the transgender community will be encouraged through health services
under Ayushman Bharat.
Introduction
•
Ayushman Bharat program is an umbrella health scheme of the Government of
India. It was launched in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Ayushman Bharat is a component of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Umbrella
Health Scheme (Ayushman Bharat). It is the world's largest health insurance
scheme.
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It was earlier known as National Health Protection Mission. Under this, the
expenses of secondary and many tertiary health care services are covered.
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Ayushman Bharat covers health insurance and primary, secondary and tertiary
health services.
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It aims to improve access to affordable and quality health services at the
primary level. PM-JAY also provides financial security cover for availing
health services at secondary and tertiary levels.
Significance
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After this agreement, the holder of the Transgender Certificate issued by the
National Portal for Transgender Persons across the country will get the benefit
of all health facilities.
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All empaneled hospitals under Ayushman Bharat- PMJAY will provide free
treatment to transgenders where special packages will be available.
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PMJAY Every single transgender beneficiary will be provided an insurance cover
of Rs 5 lakh per year.
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A comprehensive package has been prepared for the transgender category
including the existing AB- PMJAY package and specific package for transgenders
(Sex Reassignment Surgery -SRS and Treatment).
•
The scheme will cover all transgender persons who are not getting such benefits
from other centrally/state sponsored schemes.
About National Health Authority:
•
National Health Authority has been formed by reorganizing the National Health
Agency for better implementation of the Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana.
•
It functions as an attached office to the Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare. The National Health Agency was reorganized as the National Health
Authority on 2 January 2019.
Successfully Tested Vertical Launch Missile (VL-SRSAM)
Why is it in
news?
•
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Navy
have successfully test-fired the Surface-to-Air Short Range Vertical Launch
Missile (VL-SRSAM).
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It has been tested from the Integrated Test Range off the Chandipur coast of
Odisha.
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This missile has been manufactured and developed by DRDO. This missile has been
tested from a ship of the Indian Navy.
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The missile hit a high-speed unmanned aerial target to test its vertical launch
capability.
Introduction
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Vertical Launch - Short Range Surface to Air Missile System (VL-SRSAM) has been
developed as a quick response surface-to-air missile for the Indian Navy.
•
The missile is specially designed by DRDO using 4 short-span long-chord
cruciform wings which provide aerodynamic stability.
VL-SRSAM
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The missile system has a range of about 15 km to hit targets in a range of 40
to 50 km.
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This missile can be used to neutralize various air threats at medium and short
range. These missiles are also capable of intercepting sea-skimming fighter
jets and missiles that are used to evade detection by radar.
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The new missile system is being developed to replace the existing Barak 1
surface-to-air missile system which is being used by the Indian Navy on naval
ships.
Highlights
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This missile is equipped with indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker which can
hit the target with high accuracy.
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This missile can be launched vertically from surface to air.
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It is capable of hitting various celestial targets even during the fluctuations
of sea waves.
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These missiles are also capable of stopping the attacks of fighter jets and
missiles.
About DRDO:
•
DRDO is the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defense, Government of India, it
was established in the year 1958. It was established by merging three major
defense organizations which are as follows:
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Defense Science Organization (DSO)
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Defense Technical Development Establishment (DTDE)
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Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP)
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DRDO is currently a conglomerate of more than 50 laboratories working in
various areas of Defense Technology such as Combat Vehicles, Weapons,
Engineering Systems, Computing and Simulation, Life Science, Training,
Aeronautical and Information Systems etc.
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The headquarter of DRDO is in New Delhi. Presently its chairman is Dr. G.
Satheesh Reddy.v
SCO Defense Ministers' Meeting
Why is it in news?
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Recently, Union Minister Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Tashkent, the
capital of Uzbekistan.
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During this, he will also participate in the meeting of the Defense Ministers
of the countries involved in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Introduction
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The SCO, also known as the Shanghai Pact, is a Eurasian political, economic and
security alliance. The SCO was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai, China.
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This proposal was made by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Charter was signed in June 2002 which
formally established the organization. The SCO came into force on 19 September
2003.
Background
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The original five members of the SCO; China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and
Kyrgyzstan; Previously a member of Shanghai Five Group which was established in
April 1996. Since then, the organization has expanded its membership to eight
countries.
Highlights
•
The latest members of the SCO are India and Pakistan. Both the countries joined
the Astana Summit of the SCO as full members on 9 June 2017.
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Issues of defense cooperation among SCO member countries will be discussed
during this annual meeting and it is expected that a joint communiqué will be
issued after the deliberations.
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Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's address in this meeting took place on 24 August
2022.
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During this, the Defense Minister will meet the Defense Minister of the
Republic of Uzbekistan, Lieutenant General Bakhodir Kurbanov
Kerala government to launch online monitoring system for medicines
Why is it in news?
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Amid allegations of shortage of medicines in government hospitals in Kerala,
the government will soon launch an online monitoring facility to track the
availability and distribution of medicines in government medical institutions
in the state.
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This facility comes after reports of shortage of medicines, even basic
medicines, in some government hospitals.
Highlights
• Kerala Health
Minister Veena George has announced the launch of this surveillance system to
ensure the availability and distribution of medicines in hospitals.
• This process is
basically developed to balance the demand for medicines keeping in mind the
need and potential growth in each hospital along with storage and distribution
of medicines.
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When all the hospitals update the data regarding distribution of medicines on
daily basis it will be possible to know the stock of medicine in the hospital
and medicines can be distributed as per their shortage.
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After that if there is a certain percentage shortfall in any medicine, it
should be reported to KMSCL so that the medicines can be procured without any
delay.
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This step of Kerala government will ensure adequate availability of medicines
in hospitals.