Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated annually on April 30 to raise awareness about the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and its goals. This year, it falls on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The day was established by the government to highlight the scheme’s objective of providing better access to affordable and quality healthcare services, especially for the underprivileged.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
Launched in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM-JAY) is a healthcare scheme that offers free health insurance of Rs. 5 lakh to more than 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families every year. The scheme covers three days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization care, ensuring comprehensive support for patients.
Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage
Under the PM-JAY scheme, eligible patients can receive first-rate medical care at thousands of government and private hospitals across the country. The scheme covers not only hospitalization expenses but also associated fees, such as overtime charges. While the central government fully funds the PM-JAY scheme, its implementation cost is shared between the central and state governments.
Empowering States and Creating Jobs
The state governments have the right to provide cashless hospitalization to the beneficiaries of the PM-JAY scheme. Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has created a new job category called Ayushman Mitra, providing employment opportunities for young Indian citizens who are appointed by hospitals to assist beneficiaries.
Spreading Awareness and Ensuring Access
The significance of Ayushman Bharat Diwas lies in its efforts to highlight the objectives of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and educate people about the advantages of this healthcare scheme. By celebrating this day, the government aims to ensure that eligible beneficiaries can avail of medical services up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year in any government-empaneled hospital across the country.
To fully benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, beneficiaries must have comprehensive health insurance coverage. Those without insurance can explore options like Bajaj Markets, which offer advantages such as hassle-free renewal, cashless claim settlement, and reinstatement benefits.