News for 'Universal Health Coverage'

Plan panel group suggests cashless health coverage

Plan panel group suggests cashless health coverage

Rediff.com28 Mar 2012

The Planning Commission on Wednesday said that one of its expert groups has suggested rolling out of cashless health and portable universal health coverage (UHC) across the country by 2017.

Budget 2026 boosts healthcare spend, drugs relief

Budget 2026 boosts healthcare spend, drugs relief

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The government on Sunday gave a strong push to upgradation and expansion of healthcare infrastructure, medical education and pharma sector with the Union Budget 2026-27 announcing a slew of steps, including those aimed at making India a global hub for allied healthcare professionals and biopharma manufacturing.

India launches nationwide HPV vaccination drive

India launches nationwide HPV vaccination drive

Rediff.com6 days ago

The Indian government is set to launch a nationwide HPV vaccination program targeting 14-year-old girls to prevent cervical cancer, utilizing a single-dose vaccine and aiming for equitable access across socio-economic groups.

What's worrisome about universal health insurance scheme

What's worrisome about universal health insurance scheme

Rediff.com29 Dec 2015

The government must not enter into what will be a little more than a large-scale transfer of taxpayers' money to the operators of private hospitals.

GST cut on drugs, medical devices to help patients

GST cut on drugs, medical devices to help patients

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

The government's move to cut GST on medicines and medical devices while exempting lifesaving drugs from the levy is a bold step that will bring direct relief to patients and families while significantly reducing financial strain on them, pharmaceuticals and healthcare industry players said on Thursday.

Health insurance coverage to cross 630 mn people

Health insurance coverage to cross 630 mn people

Rediff.com11 Oct 2012

According to the study, over the last five year GSHIS have contributed to a significant increase in the population covered by health insurance in the country.

Why health insurance premium growth is in slow lane

Why health insurance premium growth is in slow lane

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Health insurance premium growth has slowed after touching record highs during the Covid-19 pandemic due to tapering demand from retail consumers amid affordability issues. According to General Insurance Council data, health insurance premiums grew by 10.44 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in the Apr-Jan period of FY25 in comparison with 20.79 per cent in the year-ago period. It was around 23.57 per cent in FY23, and 25.89 per cent in FY22.

Modi govt puts brakes on India's universal health plan

Modi govt puts brakes on India's universal health plan

Rediff.com27 Mar 2015

The decision to slash insurance coverage will have an impact on private health sector.

50 Mn To 100 Mn Indians Suffer From Long Covid

50 Mn To 100 Mn Indians Suffer From Long Covid

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Even by conservative assumptions that 5 to 10 per cent of infected individuals develop long Covid, India today may be home to 50 to 100 million infected individuals -- many silently coping with breathlessness, fatigue, palpitations, brain fog, or unexplained clotting tendencies.

Delhi polls: Cong lures voters with Rs 25 lakh free health cover

Delhi polls: Cong lures voters with Rs 25 lakh free health cover

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said the proposed scheme would be a game-changer as it will provide comprehensive health coverage to families, covering medical expenses for critical illnesses, hospitalisations, and treatments.

Modi to launch nationwide digital health ID on Sep 27

Modi to launch nationwide digital health ID on Sep 27

Rediff.com23 Sep 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be announcing the nationwide rollout of Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission on September 27, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed on Thursday.

How India's pharma cos plan to tackle steep US tariffs

How India's pharma cos plan to tackle steep US tariffs

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

As the potential threat of a steep 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceutical imports hangs in the air, analysts and industry insiders feel that focus on exports to non-US regions as well as domestic market will increase as a long-term trend. US President Donald Trump told CNBC's Squawk Box in the first week of August that planned tariffs on import of pharmaceutical products to the US could eventually reach up to 250 per cent.

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

USAID Funding To India Declines Amid Trump's Freeze

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

'If the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation cuts funds, there could be more impact.'

Mumbai, Kohima safest for women; Delhi, Kolkata at bottom: NARI report

Mumbai, Kohima safest for women; Delhi, Kolkata at bottom: NARI report

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

The National Annual Report & Index on Women's Safety (NARI) 2025 reveals the safest and least safe cities for women in India, highlighting factors influencing safety perceptions and experiences.

Modi to roll out health cover for seniors above 70 years on Oct 29

Modi to roll out health cover for seniors above 70 years on Oct 29

Rediff.com27 Oct 2024

Be it poor, middle class, upper middle class or rich, every individual who is 70 years and above is eligible for getting Ayushman card and will receive free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at any of the AB PMJAY empanelled hospitals once the expanded scheme gets launched.

Affordable Bank Cover: But Is It Enough?

Affordable Bank Cover: But Is It Enough?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Banks offer a wide range of group insurance plans -- personal accident, health, hospital cash, home insurance, credit protection, and critical illness.

Gehlot announces universal healthcare plan, separate agri budget

Gehlot announces universal healthcare plan, separate agri budget

Rediff.com24 Feb 2021

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government on Wednesday presented the Budget for 2021-22 and said it will bring a Universal Healthcare scheme worth Rs 3,500 crore.

Prepare health models: PM to Plan panel

Prepare health models: PM to Plan panel

Rediff.com12 Apr 2012

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked the Planning Commission to prepare workable models for implementing the proposed universal health coverage programme.

When wives kill: Women, crime, and breaking of stereotypes

When wives kill: Women, crime, and breaking of stereotypes

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Until they were arrested on charges of murdering their husbands. That they were women from small towns who broke out of stereotype in the most brutal way possible led to sensational headlines, frantic curiosity and also gave fodder to a series of misogynistic memes and jokes.

Cashless Health Claims To Be Approved In 1 Hour

Cashless Health Claims To Be Approved In 1 Hour

Rediff.com30 May 2024

Health insurance policy-holders will be able to avail a discount on the premium payable if there were no claims made in the previous year, according to the circular released by the regulator.

Budget Prepares For Rise In Cancer Cases

Budget Prepares For Rise In Cancer Cases

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

Do we have enough trained oncologists and medical professionals in India to man these over 4,500 beds in the public sector?

Covid still a threat, new variant under scanner: WHO chief

Covid still a threat, new variant under scanner: WHO chief

Rediff.com18 Aug 2023

Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus on Friday said though COVID-19 is no longer a health emergency for the world, it is still a 'global health threat' and a new variant of coronavirus is already under the scanner.

Modi likely to keep tight rein on health spending, say sources

Modi likely to keep tight rein on health spending, say sources

Rediff.com26 Feb 2015

Modi's government is also working on a universal health coverage plan that would provide all citizens with free drugs and diagnostic treatment.

At UNGA, PM Modi takes a veiled dig at China

At UNGA, PM Modi takes a veiled dig at China

Rediff.com24 Sep 2019

Modi called for global solidarity and readiness against terrorism in the same way the world has shown solidarity against challenges like climate change.

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will arrange identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal to assist 1 crore gig workers. Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the finance minister also said a scheme for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers will be implemented.

Q3 results preview: FMCG stocks vs capital goods sector

Q3 results preview: FMCG stocks vs capital goods sector

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are expected to witness pressure on volumes in the October-December quarter. However, price hikes will help push up revenues, said brokerages.For India's largest engineering firm, Larsen and Toubro (L&T), the analysts expect a 20 per cent growth in consolidated revenue, and an 8.1 per cent core business Ebitda margin, up 40 bps from a year ago.

Earnings winter to persist in Q4

Earnings winter to persist in Q4

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Brokerages expect a further slowdown in Indian firms' revenue and earnings growth in Q4FY25, following low single-digit growth in the preceding three quarters, as factors like weak consumer demand and credit growth linger on.

In Budget, Jaitley announces world's largest health protection plan

In Budget, Jaitley announces world's largest health protection plan

Rediff.com1 Feb 2018

The National Health Protection Scheme -- announced by the finance minister -- is aimed at benefiting 10 crore poor families by providing coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year.

Auto, Health Insurance Queries Answered

Auto, Health Insurance Queries Answered

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

Roopam Asthana, CEO and whole-time director, Liberty General Insurance Ltd, answers your queries on HEALTH insurance and AUTO insurance.

Coming Soon! New Internship Scheme

Coming Soon! New Internship Scheme

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

'We are getting to understand the mind of this generation.' 'Minor tweaks are being made to ease the process as we go along.'

Your MediClaim Needs A Check Up!

Your MediClaim Needs A Check Up!

Rediff.com7 May 2024

Health insurance coverage should be hiked periodically to keep pace with medical inflation, or increase in healthcare costs.

Coming soon! Changes in Health Insurance

Coming soon! Changes in Health Insurance

Rediff.com31 Jan 2019

Ashish Mehrotra, MD and CEO, Max Bupa Health Insurance, explains the changes we can expect in health insurance this year.

Key mantra for India's pharma sector in 2023

Key mantra for India's pharma sector in 2023

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

Reinvent and innovate will be the key mantra for the Indian pharma industry in the New Year as the 'pharmacy of the world' looks to move from volume to value leadership, amid emerging challenges of inflation and pricing pressures in the global markets. While R&D investment, market competitiveness, regulatory scrutiny, and domestic price regulations are expected to shape the growth of generics and injectable products, concerns such as price control and customs duties on medical equipment will continue to bother the healthcare industry in 2023. The industry believes that in view of India's G20 Presidency, digital health innovation, achieving universal health coverage, improving healthcare infrastructure and delivery will continue to be the key driving factors in 2023.

'Euphoria In SMID Stocks Couldn't Have Lasted Forever'

'Euphoria In SMID Stocks Couldn't Have Lasted Forever'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

'Retail investors, who had not seen such a massive correction in the SMID universe since COVID-19, are witnessing something like this for the first time. Panic profit booking may continue.'

Budget: Health sector allocation sees 16% hike to Rs 86,200 cr

Budget: Health sector allocation sees 16% hike to Rs 86,200 cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

Out of Rs 86200.65 crore, Rs 83,000 crore have been allocated to the department of health and family welfare while Rs 3200 crore have been allocated to the department of health research.

Tracking Poll Mood On The Brahmaputra Mail

Tracking Poll Mood On The Brahmaputra Mail

Rediff.com2 May 2024

Amid the rhythmic chug of the train, a chorus of voices rises, each bearing its tale of hope and despair.

Merger plan for 3 insurance majors shows govt concern over tackling Modicare

Merger plan for 3 insurance majors shows govt concern over tackling Modicare

Rediff.com4 Feb 2018

The change in policy for the three companies, from listing to merger, shows the level of discomfort within the government about their ability to take on the expanded load for insurance coverage with their current financial strength, including the massive premium and claim settlement cover under the proposed universal health coverage plan announced in Budget 2018.

Studying abroad? Here's how you can save on health insurance

Studying abroad? Here's how you can save on health insurance

Rediff.com13 Mar 2019

General insurers in India have started campaigns highlighting the benefits of buying a student's travel insurance in India, as opposed to buying one offered by the university abroad, says Tinesh Bhasin.

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

The World Bank has approved loans totalling $1.75 billion (about Rs 13,834.54 crore) to fund India's PM Ayushman Bharat scheme and private investment to boost the economic growth. Of the total loan, $1 billion will go towards the health sector, while the rest $750 million will be in the form of development policy loan (DPL) to fill the financing gaps through private sector investment in the economy. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved two complementary loans of $500 million each to support and enhance India's health sector.

Ahead of K'taka polls, Siddaramaiah rolls out sops in budget

Ahead of K'taka polls, Siddaramaiah rolls out sops in budget

Rediff.com16 Feb 2018

Siddaramaiah announces free LGP gas, universal health scheme in budget