04 Aug 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. National Health Authority
2. Anusandhan National Research Foundation

1. National Health Authority

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt Schemes, Health

Prelims: National Health Authority, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Context:

National Health Authority (NHA) extends its incentive scheme under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Details:

• The National Health Authority (NHA) announces the extension of its Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) till 31st December 2023. 
• Under DHIS, incentives are provided to hospitals and diagnostic labs and to the providers of digital health solutions such as the Hospital/ Health Management Information System (HMIS) and Laboratory Management Information System (LMIS) for adopting and enabling transformative digitization under ABDM.
• The DHIS was launched with effect from 1st January 2023 as part of the ABDM.
• The scheme has enhanced the adoption of digital health technologies and practices in healthcare delivery across the country. 
• Owing to its impact and response from healthcare providers and health tech companies, the scheme has been extended to allow more stakeholders to benefit from the financial incentives.
• Under the DHIS, the eligible health facilities and digital solutions companies shall be able to earn financial incentives of up to Rs. 4 crores based on the number of digital health records created and linked to ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) numbers of patients. 

2. Anusandhan National Research Foundation

Syllabus: GS-2, Polity & Governance

Prelims: Anusandhan National Research Foundation

Context:

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill (NRF), 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha.

About the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill (NRF), 2023: 

• The bill will provide high-level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of natural sciences including mathematical sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences, health and agriculture.
• It will also promote scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences to promote, monitor and provide support as required for such research. 
• The approved Bill will pave the way to establish NRF that will seed, grow and promote Research and Development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
• The proposed bill will also repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) which will be subsumed under the NRF.

What is the National Research Foundation (NRF)?

• The NRF will be an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), at a total estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crores during five years (2023-28).
• It will be administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• It will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.
  • Ex officio President of the board – Prime Minister
  • Ex-officio Vice-Presidents – Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education
• NRF’s functioning will be governed by the Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to GOI.
• NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions.
• It will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D.

About SERB:

• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament.
• Supporting basic research in emerging areas of Science & Engineering is the primary and distinctive mandate of the Board.
• The SERB Act 2008 is the legislation of Parliament that established the Board.
• It functions under the Department of Science and Technology, GOI.
• Objectives of SERB:
  • Serve as a premier agency for planning, promoting and funding of internationally competitive research in emerging areas.
  • Identify major inter-disciplinary research areas, and individuals, groups or institutions and fund them for undertaking research.
  • Assist in setting up infrastructure and environment for scientific pursuit.
  • Enable in order to achieve synergy between academic institutions, research and development laboratories and industry for promoting basic research in science and engineering.
  • Evolve a system of approach to expeditiously provide funding for research, including monitoring and evaluation, by adopting modern management practices.

Read the previous PIB articles here.