It takes a village to raise a child, goes the adage. But it does not say who bears the cost. A small family, familiar with its routine and planned expenses, welcomes a new life. Suddenly, everything finds a new rhythm. There are late nights, baby diapers and wipes, doctor visits, medicines, and countless little decisions that come with loving and caring for a newborn. The joy is immense. So are the responsibilities and expenses.

From baby care to post-partum care, healthcare products have become an indispensable part of family life when the nest grows. Medicines form an important part of this expenditure, but they are far from the only expense. The need for healthcare products continues when someone is recovering after surgery or when families are caring for aged parents and dependents.

It is in this larger context of affordable healthcare beyond medicines that the Government is steadily expanding the reach of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). With a network of over 20,000 Janaushadhi Kendras across the country, the initiative offers an expansive range of affordable surgical and healthcare products. This brings them closer to families and their everyday needs. Together, these products form a healthcare basket designed to meet changing needs across every stage of life.

For a young family, the arrival of a child marks the beginning of a new set of everyday needs. Through Janaushadhi Bachpan, families can access essential infant-care products at affordable prices through Janaushadhi Kendras. The basket includes baby diapers in different sizes and wipes. Baby Wipes, available in a pack of 20 at ₹45, offer an affordable option for one of the most frequently used baby-care essentials. The basket also includes Baby Feeding Bottles (250 ml), Manual Breast Pumps, Hot Water Bags and Infant Feeding Tubes, etc.

But the journey of care also includes the mother. Recovery after childbirth requires adequate rest, support, and attention to physical well-being. Abdominal Belts are available through the Janaushadhi network to support post-delivery care. Cervical Pillows, priced at ₹525, offer comfort and support and can be useful during pregnancy and beyond.

As the child grows, the needs change too. A growing child may sometimes require supportive equipment at home for respiratory issues and other health conditions. Access to affordable healthcare devices can therefore become particularly important for families.

Janaushadhi Kendras offer Electrical Nebulizer Machines at ₹937.50 and Nebulizer Masks with Tubing for children at ₹200. The Janaushadhi basket is increasingly offering products that support not only treatment, but also monitoring, recovery, and day-to-day healthcare management.

Regular health monitoring can itself become part of everyday life. Glucometer Test Strips (25 strips), priced at ₹500, are available through the Janaushadhi network for regular blood sugar monitoring. Pulse Oximeters, used to measure blood oxygen saturation, are also part of the available range of medical devices.

And as parents and other family members grow older, the responsibility of care often becomes an integral part of family life. For aged, dependent, or bedridden individuals, healthcare extends beyond treatment. Hygiene, comfort, dignity and everyday caregiving become equally important.

For families caring for a loved one over an extended period, such products can become recurring purchases. Even modest savings on frequently used healthcare products can therefore translate into meaningful financial relief over months and years.

Recognising this need, the Government has introduced Jan Aushadhi Swabhiman, a dedicated range of adult diapers. From the first days of parenthood to childhood, from regular health monitoring to caring for ageing loved ones, a family's healthcare journey is continuous. So are the expenses that accompany it.  The Janaushadhi basket of surgicals and consumables aims to address these needs.

It is also set to expand further, with several healthcare and supportive-care products currently in process and in the pipeline for inclusion through the network. These include Range of Motion-Knee Brace, Walker (Sit Assist-to-Stand Support), Medical Steam Vaporizer, Foot Elevator Pillow, Pregnancy Back Support Belt and Cervical Collar.

The proposed expansion reflects the Government's continued efforts to broaden affordable healthcare beyond medicines and make a wider range of essential healthcare, mobility, rehabilitation and supportive-care products accessible to all citizens.

Reference

Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2297568&reg=48&lang=2

PIB Backgrounders

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=157711&ModuleId=3&reg=48&lang=1

https://www.pib.gov.in/FeaturesDeatils.aspx?NoteId=159370&ModuleId=2&reg=48&lang=1

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