Referring to findings published in The Lancet, he noted that nearly 90% of eligible cancer patients under the scheme were able to access treatment within 30 days, demonstrating the programme’s role in improving timely healthcare access.
New Delhi:Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, said the Ayushman Bharat PM Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) beneficiaries nation wide have availed over 12 crore treatments worth more than ₹1.82 lakh crore, providing substantial financial protection to poor and vulnerable families.
He noted that one of the most significant outcomes of the Government’s efforts has been the reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare, which has declined from 64.6% before 2018 to 43.4% today.
He was speaking at an event for onboarding West Bengal as the the 36th State/Union Territory to implement the AB PM-JAY.
Eligible families under AB PM-JAY receive health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually under the scheme, while senior citizens aged 70 years and above will be entitled to an additional health cover as per the provisions of the scheme, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Emphasizing the impact of the scheme, Nadda stated that AB PM-JAY has enabled timely access to quality healthcare through a cashless, paperless and fully digital platform.
Referring to findings published in The Lancet, he noted that nearly 90% of eligible cancer patients under the scheme were able to access treatment within 30 days, demonstrating the programme’s role in improving timely healthcare access.
Nadda further observed that the portability feature of PM-JAY would be particularly beneficial for migrant workers from West Bengal and their families. He stated that beneficiaries working or residing in other states would be able to access cashless treatment at nearby empanelled hospitals across the country, ensuring continuity of healthcare wherever they may be.
Marking the culmination of nationwide adoption of the flagship health assurance scheme, the National Health Authority (NHA), under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.
Suvendu Adhikari, chief minister, West Bengal,welcomed the implementation of AB PM-JAY in West Bengal and stated that approximately 1.24 crore eligible families in the state will now be able to avail health coverage under the scheme, ensuring greater financial protection and access to quality healthcare services, including the ASHAs, Aanganwadi Workers and senior citizens the total number of beneficiary families will go up to 1.43 crore, he further added
He further emphasized that initiatives such as PM-JAY and the network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras would together strengthen healthcare access for poor and vulnerable families by ensuring affordable treatment and low-cost quality medicines.
Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers noted that Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, today covers more than 62 crore people, including poor and vulnerable families, senior citizens aged 70 years and above, and gig and platform workers.
Highlighting the achievements of the scheme, she informed that more than 44 crore Ayushman Cards have been created and over 12 crore hospital admissions have been authorized under the programme, with women accounting for nearly half of the beneficiaries availing treatment.
Patel stated that with the implementation of AB PM-JAY in West Bengal, approximately 1.43 crore families, comprising nearly 6 crore people, will now be able to access free and cashless healthcare services under the scheme.
She further noted that the eastern and north-eastern region has emerged as a key beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat, with nearly 15.5 crore beneficiaries belonging to these regions.
Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, stated that with the implementation of AB PM-JAY in West Bengal, approximately 1.43 crore families, including 1.24 crore eligible beneficiary families, around 3.06 lakh families of ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, and nearly 15.95 lakh families of senior citizens aged 70 years and above, will now be able to avail the benefits of the scheme.
Manoj Kumar Agarwal, chief secretary, West Bengal noted that beneficiaries in the State will now have access to cashless treatment across more than 36,000 empanelled hospitals under the scheme, including a large network of public and private hospitals across the State.
Sunil Kumar Barnwal, chief executive officer, National Health Authority(NHA)stated that with the onboarding of West Bengal under AB PM-JAY, the Government of India will provide substantial financial support towards the implementation of the scheme.
He noted that based on the approved beneficiary base, the Central Government’s contribution is expected to be nearly ₹1,000 crore annually, which would not only strengthen financial protection for beneficiaries but also support the State’s healthcare ecosystem through increased utilization of public and private healthcare facilities.