Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports addressed a question regarding Project Sarathi, a youth-led hospital navigation initiative under the Seva Se Seekhen Experiential Learning Programme (ELP) launched under My Bharat on September 17, 2024. The response details the participation of youth volunteers, the program's expansion, and its impact on patient waiting times. The program is further expanding in FY 2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
Project Sarathi Implementation:
* Implemented by PGIMER Chandigarh as an ELP initiative of the Department of Youth Affairs.
* Launched on September 17, 2024.
* Implemented under the banner of Seva Se Seekhen ELP.
Volunteer Participation:
* 6,444 youth volunteers have provided services.
* Services provided in over 522 hospitals across the country.
* Supported by the National Health Authority and State Health Departments/Authorities.
* 988 youth volunteers have participated under the project.
* Volunteers served between 7 and 30 days in assigned hospitals, working 3-6 hours daily.
Hospital Coverage:
* 1,467 hospitals are onboarded/approved on the portal for the ELP.
* Out of 95 existing ELPs, 81 are designated as Permanent Health ELPs.
* State/UT-wise detail of participating organizations and participants is provided in Annexure.
Volunteer Tasks:
* Assisting patients with basic healthcare services.
* Supporting the management of OPDs.
* Manning "May I Help You" desks.
* Assisting with health insurance paperwork.
* Helping patients download and use the ABHA mobile application.
* Other hospital-identified tasks, including data entry and records management.
Impact on Patient Waiting Time:
* A study at PGIMER Chandigarh showed that patients supported by My Bharat volunteers waited an average of 2.8 hours.
* Patients without such support waited around 4.2 hours.
Program Expansion:
* The Seva Se Seekhen program has been extended to Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
* A Permanent Health ELP model is implemented in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
* Expansion to 100 model health facilities with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in progress in collaboration with the National Health Authority.
* Volunteers will support patients at registration counters, including using the Scan and Share service.
Impact Analysis:
Youth Volunteers:
*Impact: Opportunity to gain experience in healthcare settings, contribute to community service, and develop skills in patient assistance and healthcare administration.
*Action Required: Participate in assigned tasks diligently, adhere to hospital guidelines, and provide support to patients effectively.
Hospitals/Healthcare Facilities:
*Impact: Enhanced patient support, reduced waiting times, and improved efficiency in OPD management and administrative tasks.
*Action Required: Collaborate with the Department of Youth Affairs, National Health Authority and State Health Departments/Authorities. Onboard and approve hospitals on the portal for ELP.
National Health Authority and State Health Departments/Authorities:
*Impact: Support for the implementation and expansion of the Seva Se Seekhen program.
*Action Required: Collaborate with the Department of Youth Affairs, onboard and approve hospitals on the portal for ELP. Facilitate the integration of volunteers into healthcare facilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Project Sarathi: A youth-led hospital navigation initiative supported by the Government.
Seva Se Seekhen Experimental Learning Programme ELP: An Experiential Learning Programme initiative of Department of Youth Affairs, launched under My Bharat.
My Bharat: Organization under which Seva Se Seekhen Experimental Learning Programme (ELP) was launched.
PGIMER Chandigarh: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, where Project Sarathi was initially implemented.
National Health Authority: Organization collaborating with the Department of Youth Affairs to expand the Seva Se Seekhen program.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: A national mission where the Seva Se Seekhen program is being expanded to support patients at registration counters.
Rajasthan: A state in India where a Permanent Health ELP model is implemented in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where a Permanent Health ELP model is implemented in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2463
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Project Sarathi
2463. Shri Rahul Kaswan:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government supports Project Sarathi, the youth-led
hospital navigation initiative (Seva Se Seekhen-Experimental
Learning Programme (ELP) launched under My Bharat;
(b) the total number of youth volunteers participated and the
number of hospitals covered across the country, States/UTs-wise;
(c) the total number of cumulative volunteer hours contributed and
average reduction in patient waiting time;
(d) whether similar models are planned in schools or community
health centres and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether any expansion targets for the said programme during FY
2025–26 and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) & (b) Project Sarathi was implemented by PGIMER Chandigarh
as an Experiential Learning Program (ELP) initiative of Department
of Youth Affairs, It was launched on 17th September 2024. Till date,
988 youth volunteers have participated under the said project.
Project Sarathi was implemented under the banner of “Seva Se
Seekhen” ELP in which 6,444 youth volunteers have providedservices in over 522 hospitals across the country with the support
of National Health Authority and State Health
Departments/Authorities. State/UT wise detail is at Annexure. As on
date 1467 hospitals are on-boarded /approved on the portal for the
said ELP. Out of 95 ELPs existing as on date, 81 are designated as
Permanent Health ELPs. Volunteers have taken part in these ELPs
and supported in tasks such as:
Assisting patients with basic healthcare services,
Supporting the management of OPDs,
Manning ‘May I Help You’ desks,
Assisting with health insurance paperwork,
Helping patients download and use the ABHA mobile
application,
Other hospital-identified tasks including data entry and
records management.
(c) Youth Volunteers served between 7 and 30 days in their
assigned hospitals. Typical working on each day varies from 3 hrs to
6 hrs. A study conducted at PGIMER Chandigarh observed the
following:
Patients supported by MY Bharat volunteers waited for an
average of 2.8 hours.
Patients without such support waited for around 4.2 hours.
(d) The Seva Se Seekhen program has been extended to Primary
Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs). A
Permanent Health ELP model, where help desks are set up for
continuous volunteer deployment, is currently implemented in
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
(e) In collaboration with the National Health Authority, the Seva Se
Seekhen program is being expanded to 100 model health facilities
where the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is in progress.
Volunteers here will support patients at registration counters,
including helping them use the ‘Scan and Share’ service to register
for OPD at public hospitals.
*****ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (B) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
Q.NO. 2463 FOR 04.08.2025 ASKED BY SHRI RAHUL KASWAN REGARDING PROJECT
SARATHI
NO. OF NO. OF
S. No. NAME OF THE STATE
HEALTH MBOs PARTICPANTS
1 ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 1 3
2 ANDHRA PRADESH 22 373
3 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 5 15
4 ASSAM 10 110
5 BIHAR 11 143
6 CHANDIGARH 13 92
7 CHHATTISGARH 9 77
8 DELHI 3 30
9 GOA 2 26
10 GUJARAT 89 1215
11 HARYANA 69 1004
12 HIMACHAL PRADESH 11 43
13 JAMMU AND KASHMIR 12 62
14 JHARKHAND 29 276
15 KARNATAKA 6 32
16 KERALA 6 87
17 LAKSHADWEEP 4 26
18 MADHYA PRADESH 12 167
19 MAHARASHTRA 51 238
20 MANIPUR 2 23
21 MEGHALAYA 2 0
22 ODISHA 8 63
23 PUDUCHERRY 4 50
24 PUNJAB 30 175
25 RAJASTHAN 87 836
26 TAMIL NADU 39 341
27 TELANGANA 19 178
28 TRIPURA 7 14
29 UTTAR PRADESH 63 558
30 UTTARAKHAND 21 187
TOTAL 647 6444
MBO s = MY Bharat Organisations