Ayushman Bharat Completes 8 Years, Covers Over 60 Crore People

The Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a programme that has reached its eighth anniversary in the health assurance programme of India’s government. This programme was introduced by the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, in September 2018 from the city of Ranchi, Jharkhand. This programme gives health insurance cover up to ₹5 lakh annually to eligible individuals. As per reports released by the government, more than 60 crore individuals are covered under the programme whereas 13 crore beneficiaries have already got cashless treatment.

Ayushman Bharat Celebrates 8th Anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in September 2018 with the intention of enhancing the availability of affordable and high-quality healthcare.

Since then, in the past eight years, the scheme has gained traction across India and now it can be termed the world’s largest health insurance scheme funded by the government.

In excess of 60 crore people have been covered under an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh. The savings made by families due to cashless healthcare services have also been emphasized by the government.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme at a Glance

These recent figures show the magnitude of the project,

• Scheme: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY
• Year of Launch: 2018
• Covered Beneficiaries: Over 60 Crore
• Annual Health Coverage: ₹5 lakh
• Ayushman Card Issued: 48.54 Crore
• Beneficiaries Using Cashless Services: Around 13 Crore
• Government Expenditure: Over ₹2 Lakh Crore
• Hospitals Empanelled: 38,000
• Reach: All 36 States and Union Territories

Over 38,000 Hospitals Empanelled

As per the latest figures from the government, there are more than 38,000 public and private hospitals that are empanelled under the scheme.

This network is supposed to help the beneficiaries get access to the secondary and tertiary healthcare services of the country.

Till now, there have been more than 48.54 crore Ayushman cards issued. Around 13 crore beneficiaries have availed the services using the scheme for cashless treatment, and government expenditure has crossed ₹2 lakh crore.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Improve Primary Healthcare

Moreover, the Ayushman Bharat scheme also consists of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs that work towards the improvement of primary healthcare in society.

They have seen over 500 crore visits, according to the Prime Minister.

Furthermore, PM-JAY benefits have been provided to senior citizens over the age of 70 years. Additionally, benefits have also been offered to 37 lakh families of ASHAs and anganwadi workers.

What Is the Goal of Ayushman Bharat Scheme?

The main goal of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme is to provide health security to the poor, weak and needy classes of people in society and lessen the financial burden of major treatment for them.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, on the occasion of its eighth year anniversary, mentioned the scheme’s role in expanding access to healthcare facilities for millions of people and improving their financial security.