Scaling Healthcare Access: USAID’s HSS Grant in India

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) leads international development efforts to save lives, alleviate poverty, and foster democratic governance. It advances U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress while creating stable, free societies and markets that benefit both the United States and developing nations. With a presence in over 100 countries, USAID focuses on promoting global health, supporting global stability, providing humanitarian assistance, catalyzing innovation, and empowering women and girls.

USAID has been at the forefront of fostering sustainable development and reducing poverty while enhancing global partnerships for over six decades. Its work addresses the root causes of poverty, injustice, and inequality, ultimately helping communities to progress beyond the need for assistance. By collaborating with governments, NGOs, the private sector, and other development partners, USAID aims to create lasting and impactful solutions that drive inclusive growth, support peacebuilding efforts, and foster global prosperity.

This USAID Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) activity targets the enhancement of India’s health sector by leveraging public and private partnerships. It aims to transition USAID’s traditional health assistance to the Government of India, focusing on accelerating and scaling up innovative models for equitable healthcare access. The activity emphasizes digital health technologies, inclusive development approaches, and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, especially for marginalized and vulnerable communities.

Key objectives include strengthening India’s primary healthcare systems, integrating wellness services, improving mental health care, and addressing non-communicable diseases. USAID will collaborate with the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and other financial institutions to provide risk underwriting for these initiatives. This activity also seeks to share Indian healthcare innovations globally, especially in comprehensive primary healthcare, supporting other partner countries.

The program builds on India’s post-pandemic recovery by addressing healthcare system resilience, inclusivity, and responsiveness, particularly for vulnerable groups. It also focuses on preparing health systems for future climate-related challenges and demographic shifts, working closely with the Government of India’s Ayushman Bharat program.