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“Among other things, the scheme will provide insurance of up to 5 lakh rupees to more than 50 crore people”
New Delhi, September 24, 2018:
The Indian government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, on 23rd September 2018 in Ranchi. Billed as the world’s largest public health insurance scheme, the government is pitching it as a “game changer” in ensuring access to healthcare for all. Apart from this, he also launched 10 wellness centres in Jharkhand and laid the foundation stones of medical colleges in Chaibasa and Koderma.
Ayushman Bharat is the world’s first scheme under which more than 50 crore people will get insurance up to Rs 5 lakh. The number of people who are to benefit from this is almost equal to the population of the entire European Union according to sources. The scheme was launched simultaneously in 476 districts across the country for the benefit 10.74 crore families.
Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI, said, “Right to health and access to healthcare is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Similarly, Article 41 also provides for ensuring assistance during old age, sickness, and disablement. In launching the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the government is doing its bit in ensuring that these two goals are met. The scheme will benefit the 40% of the population comprising lower middle class and is a step in the right direction for the welfare of the common man. It is not inclusive of those covered under ESI, CGHS, etc. but covers those lacking access to quality healthcare. By becoming a viable scheme over time, Ayushman Bharat will achieve the objective of Make in India for Cure in India.”
About 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres across the country will also be launched as part of this scheme. An estimated 12,000 crore will be spent with 60% being borne by the Centre and 40% by state. Beneficiaries can avail hospitalization treatment for 1350 pre-identified diseases.
Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the President (Elect), CMAAO, said, “Ayushman Bharat has all the right ingredients to ensure that every Indian citizen gets access to affordable healthcare irrespective of his or her standing in the society. We will also be executing initiatives to promote this scheme and Swachh Bharat at the 25thMTNL Perfect Health Mela this year.”
Some salient features of Ayushman Bharat
- 1,354 medical and surgical packages under 25 specialty categories such as cardiology, neurosurgery, burns, among others. It also includes oncology with chemotherapy for 50 types of Cancer.
- Beneficiaries cannot avail surgical and medical packages at the same time.
- Post-hospitalization care is also covered.
- For multiple surgeries, the first will be covered with the highest package followed by 50% and 25% for the second and third respectively.
- Payments for the treatment will be made on a package rate basis defined in advance by the government. Beneficiaries can take cashless benefits from any public/private empaneled hospitals anywhere in the country.
- A council (National Health Agency) will be set at the apex level chaired by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister will implement Ayushman Bharat.
