protect the rights of people with mental health problem to ensure that they are able to receive
      optimum care and are able to live a life of dignity and respect. It strengthens the institutional
      mechanisms for improving access quality and appropriate mental healthcare services. The Act
      increases accountability of both government and private sectors in delivery of mental healthcare
      with representation of persons with mental health problem and their care-givers in statutory
      authorities such as central and state mental health authority.
            The most progressive features of the Act are provision of advance directive, nominated
      representative, special clause for women and children related to admission, treatment, sanitation
      and personal hygiene; restriction on use of electro-convulsive therapy and psychosurgery.
      Decriminalization of suicide is another significant facet of the Act, which will ensure proper
      management of severe stress as a precursor for suicide attempts.
      HIV & AIDS
            HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, aims to end the epidemic by 2030 in
      accordance with the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. A person living
      with AIDS cannot be treated unfairly at employment, educational establishments, renting a
      property, standing for public or private office or providing healthcare and insurance services The
      Act also aims to enhance access to healthcare services by ensuring informed consent and
      confidentiality for HIV-related testing, treatment and clinical research. Every person in the care
      and custody of the state shall have right to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and counseling
      services.
      Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana
            The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) envisages creation of
      tertiary healthcare capacity in medical education, research and clinical care, in the underserved
      areas of the country. It aims at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of
      affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and also augmenting facilities for quality medical
      education in the country. PMSSY has two components- setting up of new AIIMS like institutes
      in underserved regions of the country: and upgradation of existing Govt Medical Colleges
      (GMCs). Under PMSSY the pace of construction expedited across all PMSSY projects,
      achieving, on an average more than 42 per cent increase in capital expenditure, year on year
      (YOY) basis since 2014-15.
      Medical Education
            The major step was the passage of Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Act, 2016, a
      uniform entrance examination for admission to Under Graduate and Post Graduate medical
      courses in the country viz. National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) has been introduced
      from the Academic Year 2016-17. It would help curb malpractices in medical admissions
      especially in private medical colleges, will lead to greater transparency and ensure better
      standards of Medical Education.
      Dental Education
            Under Dental Council of India (DCI) framework 12 new dental colleges were established
      during 2014-16. In last three years, 1670 BDS seats and 943 MDS seats have been added.