NITI Aayog, USAID to collaborate in healthcare under SAMRIDH Initiative

Context: Recently, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new partnership under the Sustainable Access to Markets and Resources for Innovative Delivery of Healthcare (SAMRIDH) initiative.

• It would focus on innovations across the healthcare landscape with the common goal to mount an effective response to the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 and build health system preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks and health emergencies.

About SAMRIDH Initiative
Objectives & Need

• To improve access to affordable and quality healthcare for vulnerable populations in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and rural and tribal regions. 
• To mobilize a capital pool of $100+ million from the private sector and bilateral organizations across the healthcare landscape.
• Tackle Pandemic, and its continued threat to the healthcare system.
• Bridge supply-side gaps in healthcare facilities.

Background

• In 2020, USAID, IPE Global, and stakeholders from the Indian government, academia, and the private sector developed the innovative SAMRIDH blended finance facility.

Blended Finance

• It is an approach towards financing where catalytic funding (e.g., grants and concessional capital) from public and philanthropic sources is utilized to mobilize additional private sector investment to realize social goals and outcomes.

Health Infrastructure in India

• India’s healthcare sector has grown rapidly over the last five years (Compound Annual Growth Rate of 22%), however, COVID-19 has brought to the forefront persistent challenges.
• Health Expenditure: 2.1 percent of GDP in 2021-22 
• Out-of-pocket-expenditure (OOPE): About 63 per cent
• Life Expectancy: 69.8 years
• National public health initiatives: Ayushman Bharat, National Digital Health Mission, NHP-2017, Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, Mission Indradhanush etc.
• Challenges: Low doctor to patient ratio, Lack of infrastructure, Health regional inequality, low budget, rise in NCDs, low health insurance coverage, governance issue.
• India spends the least among BRICS countries: Brazil spends the most (9.2%), followed by South Africa (8.1%), Russia (5.3%), China (5%).

Earlier SAMRIDH Scheme

• Definition: It stands for Start-up Accelerators of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development and growth (SAMRIDH).
• Launched by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• Aim: To create a conducive platform for Indian Software Product startups to enhance their products and secure investments for scaling their business.