Courtesy Photo / VOSAP

The project "HITARTH", as launched by VOSAP, aims to bring significant healthcare benefits to individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDDs) in India, helping them access various healthcare services through the "NIRAMAYA" Health Insurance Scheme of the Government of India.

Research conducted by the VOSAP team on the implementation of the Niramaya scheme revealed that many eligible individuals are not utilizing it due to challenges in enrolling, navigating online systems, misunderstandings of the benefits, and the complicated process of claim reimbursements. In response, VOSAP decided to financially support social workers, known as Hitarth Sahayaks, to assist IDDs in obtaining medical expense reimbursements of up to ₹1 lakh per year (approx. $1200) under the Niramaya scheme.

VOSAP and PARIVAAR Collaboration

The launch of Project "HITARTH" on May 13, 2024, in collaboration with PARIVAAR NCPO (National Confederation of Parents Organizations), marks a pivotal step towards bridging the gap between the government's goal of providing benefits and the actual utilization of those benefits by IDDs. PARIVAAR, a federation of over 310 parents' associations and civil societies across 31 states in India, brings a wealth of experience and reach to this initiative, helping to create a robust support system for navigating the challenges faced by IDDs.

Background

As of March 31, 2024, India has an estimated disabled population of 100 million, with around 21 million individuals classified under National Trust Disabilities such as multiple disabilities (deaf blind) and intellectually disabled (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome etc.) Despite the availability of the “Niramaya” health insurance scheme, its uptake and effectiveness remain significantly suboptimal as only 15 percent of enrolled persons with disabilities (PwDs) successfully claimed benefits over the last five years.

To give a perspective, per government of India data, in FY 2022-23, only around 28,323 citizens benefited with an average of Rs 6,405 while such a large population is eligible. Factors affecting the under-utilization of insurance benefits include lack of awareness, bureaucratic hurdles, difficulty accessing online systems, and inadequate support, resulting in financial struggles with medical expenses and limited access to necessary healthcare services.

These statistics, coupled with insights from PARIVAAR and the assessed need for a support system, led to the creation of “HITARTH.”

The HITARTH Initiative

The name "HITARTH" is an acronym that stands for Healthcare Initiative To Avail Rehabilitative Therapies and Health Coverage. It is also a meaningful term in Indian languages, translating to "Well-Wisher." This initiative is designed to address the gaps that currently exist in the healthcare system for IDDs.

"We are very excited for the opportunities with this new model to expand VOSAP impact that leverages the government of India's existing programmes and strengths of our trusted, reputed partners like Parivaar," said Pranav Desai, VOSAP's California-based founder.

VOSAP’s founder, Pranav Desai spending a few delightful moments with autistic children. / VOSAP

Pankaj Maru of Parivaar NCPO expressed optimism about the partnership, saying, "Parivaar is happy to collaborate with Voice of SAP to make the Niramaya health insurance scheme more accessible for millions of PwIDDs through our more than 300 parents and voluntary member organizations having a presence in 31 states."

Key Features of “HITARTH”

Awareness: Through a multifaceted outreach strategy, including educational campaigns, social media efforts, community events, and workshops, the project will expand and raise awareness about the benefits of the Niramaya Scheme. This outreach will target specific communities and the general public to encourage the enrollment of eligible beneficiaries.

Better Healthcare: HITARTH aims to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families to fully utilize the health benefits available to them through the Government of India. This support will help them access necessary medical care, therapies, and other essential services.

Scalable Positive Health Outcomes: The initiative will deploy trained Hitarth Sahayaks to assist individuals and families with enrollment, renewal, and obtaining the Niramaya Health Card. These social workers will provide crucial support in navigating the claim processes, ensuring that more people can benefit from the services offered by the insurance scheme.

With the HITARTH initiative, VOSAP aims to improve the health and well-being of 10,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities in its first year as part of a pilot program, with a long-term goal of scaling to 100,000 beneficiaries.

 

Through enhanced access to healthcare facilitated by HITARTH, the financial burden on families and individuals for medical expenses is expected to significantly reduce, while also improving the quality of life through services like physiotherapy, speech therapy, and more.

By facilitating the expanded uptake of the Niramaya scheme, VOSAP aims to create a scalable win-win situation that can serve as a model for other government programs struggling to achieve their desired outcomes.

Project HITARTH represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities. The collaborative efforts of VOSAP and PARIVAAR NCPO aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society where every individual is supported and empowered to lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.

 

Pranav Desai is founder of Voice of SAP (www.voiceofsap.org), an organization working in the disability sector and in a Special Consultative Status with UN Economic and Social Council.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)