PIB Summary- 18th November, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)

Context
The National Health Authority (NHA) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) have joined hands to operationalize the National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX).

National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX)

• Digital health claims platform developed by the National Health Authority.
• Serves as a gateway for exchanging claims-related information among stakeholders in the healthcare and health insurance ecosystem.

Key Features:

• Designed to be interoperable, ensuring compatibility with various systems.
• Machine-readable for efficient data processing.
• Auditable and verifiable to maintain accuracy and trustworthiness of exchanged information.

National Health Authority (NHA)

• Apex body implementing Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
• Tasked with designing strategy, building technological infrastructure, and implementing the “National Digital Health Mission” to create a National Digital Health Eco-system.

Evolution and Autonomy:

• Successor of the National Health Agency, reconstituted as the National Health Authority in January 2019.
• Originally functioned as a registered society and transitioned to full functional autonomy.

Structure and Governance:

• Attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Governed by a Governing Board chaired by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.
• Headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), holding the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
• CEO serves as the Ex-Officio Member Secretary of the Governing Board.

State-Level Implementation:

• Implementation at the State level involves the establishment of State Health Agencies (SHAs) as societies/trusts.
• SHAs are set up by respective States to execute the scheme locally.

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI

Context
A joint military exercise, “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” is being conducted from November 16th to 29th, 2023, in Aundh (Pune).

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI:

• Joint military exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies.
• Marks the ninth edition of the exercise.

Participating Forces:

• Indian contingent comprises 120 personnel, mainly from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment.
• Inclusion of personnel from the Indian Air Force and the Sri Lankan Air Force, making it the first bilateral and bi-service exercise between the two countries.

Objectives:

• Jointly rehearse sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• Synergize joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.
• Focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability among troops.

Exercise Components:

Training Areas:

• Conducting sub-conventional operations.
• Counter-terrorist operations.

Skill Enhancement:

• Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR).
• Combat reflex shooting.
• Yoga.

Technology Integration:

• Deployment of Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems.
• Involvement of helicopters.

Special Drills:

• Securing helipads.
• Undertaking casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations.

Strategic Focus:

• Collective efforts to reduce the risk to life and property.
• Prioritizing the interests and agenda of the UN during peacekeeping operations.

Diplomatic Impact:

• Strengthens bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.