The Union Cabinet approved the creation of ' Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi (PMSSN) as a 'Single Non Lapsable Reserve Fund'. It is noteworthy that this fund will be created from the amount received from the 'Health and Education Cess' to be taken under Section 136B of the Finance Act, 2007.
It will be used in Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWC), National Health Mission, Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) etc. The fund will be maintained by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In any financial year, the expenditure of the said schemes of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be initially taken from the Health Security Fund and later from the Gross Budgetary Support.
The Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi will be used in health related emergencies, schemes being implemented towards the Sustainable Development Goals and achieving the National Health Policy 2017 targets. Its construction will ensure universal and affordable access to health services to the people.