Content:

1.    National Energy Conservation Day

2.    Steps taken by the Government to reduce Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure

 National Energy Conservation Day

Introduction

• Celebrated annually on December 14 to promote energy conservation and efficiency.

• Symbolizes India’s commitment to sustainable development under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power.

Relevance: GS 3(Energy, Environment)

Significance:

• Highlights the importance of energy conservation.

• Introduced in 1991 to encourage sustainable energy practices.

National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA):

• Instituted in 1991 to honor industries and institutions excelling in energy efficiency.

• Recognizes innovative measures and sets benchmarks for energy conservation.

• NECA 2024 to spotlight impactful projects and inspire adoption of best practices.

Government Initiatives

 Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT):

• Targets energy reduction in energy-intensive industries.

• Saves ₹55,000 crore annually; avoids 110 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

Standards and Labelling (S&L):

• Informs consumers about energy-efficient appliances.

• Covers 38 appliances, including 16 under mandatory labeling.

 Go Electric Campaign:

• Promotes adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric cooking.

EV Yatra Portal & App:

• Launched in 2022 to provide EV charging station data and promote e-mobility.

 UJALA Scheme:

• Provides affordable LED bulbs and tube lights to domestic consumers.

• Saves 176.2 billion kWh annually; reduces 125 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP):

• Replaces conventional street lights with LED lights.

• Saves 8.76 billion kWh/year and reduces 6.03 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.

The Road Ahead

• Emphasizes collective efforts in energy conservation.

• Aligns individual actions with national goals for a sustainable and greener future.

Steps Taken By The Government To Reduce Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure

Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) refers to payment made by individuals or households for healthcare services without  reimbursement from insurance , government programs , etc

Relevance: GS 2(Health, Governance)

It includes expenses for:

• Doctor consultations
• Medicines
• Diagnostic tests
• Hospitalization charges
• Medical equipment or devices
• Other healthcare-related costs not covered by insurance.

Why is OOPE significant?

• Financial Burden: High OOPE can lead to finlancial distress, pushing families into poverty, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

• Healthcare Access: High OOPE reduces access to healthcare for economically weaker sections.

• Policy Indicator: A high percentage of OOPE indicates inadequate public health funding and weak insurance systems.

Decline in OOPE

• Reduction: OOPE as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) reduced from 48.8% in 2017-18 to 39.4% in 2021-22.

• State-wise Improvements: States like Karnataka, Assam, and Jammu & Kashmir showed significant reductions in OOPE.

Increased Budget Allocation for Healthcare

• Department of Health & Family Welfare:Budget allocation increased by 85% from ₹47,353 crore (2017-18) to ₹87,657 crore (2024-25).

• 15th Finance Commission Grants: ₹70,051 crore allocated through local governments for health.

Ayushman Bharat Initiatives

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs):

• 1,75,418 centers established by transforming Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

• Provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative care.

PM-JAY:

• Health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.

• Covers approximately 55 crore beneficiaries, constituting 40% of the population.

• Health coverage extended to senior citizens (70+) irrespective of income.

National Health Mission (NHM)

• Strengthens health infrastructure, human resources, and accessibility to quality healthcare, especially for underserved rural populations.

Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

• Focuses on developing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare capacities.

• Budget: ₹64,180 crore.

• Establishes new institutions to manage emerging diseases.

• Affordable Medicine and Diagnostic Services

• National Free Drugs and Diagnostics Services: Reduces OOPE by ensuring essential drugs and diagnostic facilities at public health centers.

• PM Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP): Provides quality generic medicines at affordable prices.

• AMRIT Pharmacies: Offer affordable medicines and implants in hospitals.

 Encouraging States to Increase Health Budgets

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) urged states to enhance health budgets by at least 10% annually.

Impact Highlights

• OOPE Decline: States like Kerala, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh witnessed notable improvements.

• Infrastructure Growth: Rural and urban health centers strengthened, improving access to care.

• Financial Protections: Insurance coverage via PM-JAY reduced catastrophic health expenditure