GUWAHATI: In 2020, USAID, IPE Global, and stakeholders from the Indian Government, academia and the private sector developed the innovative SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Finance Facility to combine public and philanthropic funds with commercial capital to create and rapidly scale market-based health solutions. SAMRIDH has supported GNRC Hospitals, a chain of multispecialty hospitals in Assam, with US $1.2 million in funding, stated a press release.
Through this partnership, GNRC has strengthened preparedness for not only the current COVID-19 pandemic but also for future health emergencies by increasing the reach of quality healthcare services offered under the Government of India's flagship health assurance programme Ayushman Bharat - PMJAY and Atal Amrit Abhiyan scheme. The GNRC Swasthya Mitra Programme, in collaboration with SAMRIDH, is ensuring that beneficiaries have access to at least 35-40 per cent of hospital beds when needed; spreading awareness amongst the rural population on the importance of using face masks, maintaining social distancing, practicing hand hygiene, understanding the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination; and educating communities on COVID-19 appropriate behaviours. GNRC Swasthya Mitras are also trained to identify any patients with COVID-19 symptoms and collaborate with the local Public Health Authority to facilitate testing, tracking, isolation, and treatment of patients.
Also watch: