CONTENTS

1. National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)
2. Exercise MITRA SHAKTI

National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)

Context:

The National Health Authority (NHA) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) have joined hands to operationalize the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX).

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)
2. National Health Authority (NHA)

National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX):

Development and Purpose:

• Digital health claims platform developed by the National Health Authority.
• Serves as a gateway for exchanging claims-related information among stakeholders in the healthcare and health insurance ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Designed to be interoperable, ensuring compatibility with various systems.
• Machine-readable for efficient data processing.
• Auditable and verifiable to maintain accuracy and trustworthiness of exchanged information.

National Health Authority (NHA):

• Responsibilities:
  • Apex body implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
  • Tasked with designing strategy, building technological infrastructure, and implementing the “National Digital Health Mission” to create a National Digital Health Eco-system.
• Evolution and Autonomy:
  • Successor of the National Health Agency, reconstituted as the National Health Authority in January 2019.
  • Originally functioned as a registered society and transitioned to full functional autonomy.
• Structure and Governance:
  • Attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • Governed by a Governing Board chaired by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.
  • Headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), holding the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
  • CEO serves as the Ex-Officio Member Secretary of the Governing Board.
• State-Level Implementation:
  • Implementation at the State level involves the establishment of State Health Agencies (SHAs) as societies/trusts.
  • SHAs are set up by respective States to execute the scheme locally.

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI

Context:

A joint military exercise, “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” is being conducted from November 16th to 29th, 2023, in Aundh (Pune).

Relevance:

GS III: Security Challenges

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Exercise MITRA SHAKTI

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI:

• Joint military exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies.
• Marks the ninth edition of the exercise.

Participating Forces:

• Indian contingent comprises 120 personnel, mainly from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment.
• Inclusion of personnel from the Indian Air Force and the Sri Lankan Air Force, making it the first bilateral and bi-service exercise between the two countries.

Objectives:

• Jointly rehearse sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• Synergize joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.
• Focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability among troops.

Exercise Components:

• Training Areas:
  • Conducting sub-conventional operations.
  • Counter-terrorist operations.
• Skill Enhancement:
  • Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR).
  • Combat reflex shooting.
  • Yoga.
• Technology Integration:
  • Deployment of Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems.
  • Involvement of helicopters.
• Special Drills:
  • Securing helipads.
  • Undertaking casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations.

Strategic Focus:

• Collective efforts to reduce the risk to life and property.
• Prioritizing the interests and agenda of the UN during peacekeeping operations.

Diplomatic Impact:

• Strengthens bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka