20 Years Of SWAGAT
- The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 27 addressed a programme marking 20 years of completion of the StateWide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology – SWAGAT Initiative in Gujarat SWAGAT (State Wide Attention on Grievances by Application of Technology) was started by the Prime Minister in April 2003 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
- The programme was driven by his belief that the foremost responsibility of a Chief Minister is to solve the problems of the people of the State.
- The uniqueness of SWAGAT is that it helps the common citizen air his grievances directly to the Chief Minister.
- The SWAGAT Online Programme has four components: the State SWAGAT, District SWAGAT, Taluka SWAGAT and Gram SWAGAT.
Predictor Discovery Algorithm (PDA)
- A newly devised algorithm powered by Artificial Intelligence can help increase the predictability of the Indian Summer Monsoons (ISMR) 18 months ahead of the season.
- The algorithm is called predictor discovery algorithm (PDA), and it is made using a single ocean-related variable.
- Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of DST along with their collaborators have found that the widely used sea surface temperature (SST) is inadequate for calculation of long-lead prediction of ISMR.
- The team consisting of IASST Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and Cotton University, Guwahati, devised a predictor discovery algorithm (PDA).
- PDA could facilitate skillful forecast of the ISMR in time for making effective agricultural and other economic plans for the country.
National Health Accounts Estimates For India (2019-20) Released
- NITI Aayog launched National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates for India for 2019-20 on April 25.
- The report highlights the increased public spending in primary healthcare, which is in line with National Health policy 2017 where it states that two-thirds of public health spending must be in Primary Health systems.
- This is also a result of great developments/initiatives taken at grassroot level such as opening of over 1.6 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) which are providing plethora of health services to the people.
- The NHA estimates for 2019-20 which is seventh in the series of reports released annually, clearly show that government expenditure for healthcare continues to be the priority.
- The share of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in total Health Expenditure (THE) declined from 62.6% to 47.1%. The continuous decline in the OOPE in the overall health spending show progress towards ensuring financial protection and Universal Health Coverage for citizens.
- During this period, the share of Government Health Expenditure (GHE) in the overall GDP of the country has increased from 1.13% in 2014-15 to 1.35% in 2019-20.
- In per capita terms, GHE has doubled from Rs. 1,108 to Rs. 2,014 between 2014-15 to 2019-20.
- The increase in government spending on health has an important implication for the reduction of financial hardship endured by households. In the Total Health Expenditure (THE) of the country between 2014-15 and 2019-20, the share of GHE has increased from 29% to 41.4%.
- The share of primary healthcare in Current Government Health Expenditure (CGHE) has increased from 51.3% in 2014-15 to 55.9% in 2019-20.
- The increased focus on primary healthcare reinforces the government’s decisions to prioritize primary healthcare in the country.
- The NHA estimates are prepared by using an accounting framework based on the internationally accepted standard of System of Health Accounts, 2011, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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