look news india
Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Jagat Prakash Nadda. The sixth anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana i.e. AB PM-JAY scheme is a moment of pride. Launched in September 2018 under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme is today one of the largest health care schemes in the world.
It reflects this government's commitment to providing equitable healthcare to all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. This scheme has impacted millions of people over the last six years, providing them with life-saving treatment and bringing a new hope to their lives. The journey of Ayushman Bharat is a testament to what a nation can achieve when it comes together with the goal of improving the health and well-being of its people.
The main goal of Ayushman Bharat is to ensure that no Indian is deprived of healthcare due to their economic status. With an annual coverage of Rs five lakh per family to cover secondary and tertiary hospital care, the scheme has given economically deprived families access to free quality medical care at some of the best hospitals in the country.
Recently the government has decided to extend this scheme to citizens aged 70 years and above, which is an important step considering the changing demographic scenario of the country. Earlier, families of community health workers like ASHA sisters, Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi assistants were brought under the ambit of the scheme.
Today, more than 55 crore people are eligible for free health services under this scheme. So far, more than 7.5 crore successful treatments have been done, costing more than Rs 1 lakh crore. This is a major achievement. This scheme is proving to be a financial shield for families who fell into the grip of poverty due to health expenses. Statements of beneficiaries under the scheme, from farmers to daily wage laborers, are proof that the scheme is saving them from financial hardship. In this sense, Ayushman Bharat Yojana is fulfilling its promise.
The scope of treatments in this scheme is also very wide, covering more than 1900 medical procedures. These range from complex surgeries like heart bypass or joint replacement to treatments for cancer and kidney diseases. These are treatments that were previously out of reach for many, but now this scheme has made them accessible, affordable and available to all. One of the strengths of AB PMJAY is its ability to build a strong healthcare provider network.
Today, more than 29,000 hospitals, including over 13,000 private hospitals in the country, are registered under the scheme. The network extends to rural and urban areas, ensuring that even people living in remote parts of the country can access quality healthcare services. The unique portability feature of the scheme has ensured that beneficiaries can get treatment in hospitals across the country apart from their own state.
This vast network is equipped with a robust IT infrastructure, which ensures transparency, efficiency and speed in settlement of claims. Aadhaar-based biometric verification and paperless claim processing have reduced fraud and inefficiency to a great extent. The success of Ayushman Bharat has also inspired reforms in other parts of the healthcare system. The scheme's emphasis on quality healthcare has prompted both public and private hospitals to upgrade their infrastructure and services.
Along with AB PM JAY, the government is also working to strengthen primary healthcare services through Ayushman Arogya Mandir i.e. AAM. More than 1.73 lakh health temples have been established in the country so far, which provide free screening, diagnosis and medicines for common diseases and conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. By promoting wellness and early diagnosis, we hope to reduce the need for hospitalization and make access to health care more sustainable in the long term.
While we are overwhelmed by the achievements of Ayushman Bharat, we must also accept the challenges of the future. The scale of the scheme is huge and with it comes the responsibility of constant adaptation, modification and improvement. We are constantly working to expand the reach of the scheme, ensure timely payments to hospitals and enhance the quality of medical care provided to each beneficiary.
We will continue to make Ayushman Bharat easier to take India's journey towards holistic, affordable and quality healthcare. We are committed to expanding the list of treatments, increasing the number of empanelled hospitals and building a successful Ayushman Health Temple.
The health of any nation is the foundation of its prosperity. Healthy people can contribute to a country's growth, productivity and innovation. Ayushman Bharat is at the core of the vision of a healthy, empowered and developed India. The success of the scheme reflects hard work, dedication and collaboration between the government, health care providers and the people.
We are committed to the well-being and health of every citizen. On the sixth anniversary of this scheme, let us reiterate our commitment to create an inclusive, accessible and compassionate healthcare system for all citizens. We will continue the journey to build a healthy India for generations to come. Jai Hind!