India Observes Ayushman Bharat Diwas to Promote Universal Healthcare

The Ayushman Bharat Diwas is observed every year on the April 30 . This day observe to celebrate the success of the India’s flagship healthcare initiative which is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). This scheme was launched in the year 2018 and the scheme has transformed the access to affordable healthcare for millions of Indians. With the cashless coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually and it supports over the 10.74 crore families which is around 50 crore people. The day also highlights the India’s commitment to the universal health coverage and also ensuring that no citizen is deprived of the quality medical care.

What is Ayushman Bharat?

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana is one of the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programs. It was launched by the Honorable PM Narendra Modi on the September 23, 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

The scheme operates under the vision of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and it also aligns with global goals set by the organizations like the World Health Organization.

The core objective is simple but yet powerful ‘Healthcare for All’ and it ensuring that even the poorest citizens can have the access to the quality treatment without financial burden.

Key Features of PM-JAY Scheme

The PM-JAY component of the Ayushman Bharat offers the wide range of the benefits that make it a transformative healthcare initiative.

Cashless Health Coverage

The beneficiaries set to receive ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalization which covers both secondary and tertiary care.

Nationwide Portability

Also Patients can avail the treatment at any registered hospital across India and making it especially useful for the migrant workers.

Coverage of The Pre-existing Conditions

Compare to other many insurance schemes the PM-JAY provides day-one coverage for the pre-existing diseases and extending the immediate support.

Wide Range of The Treatments

The scheme also covers over the 1,900 medical procedures which includes the surgeries, diagnostics and therapies.

Who Benefits from Ayushman Bharat?

The scheme primarily targets the poorest and most vulnerable sections of the society which are identified by using SECC 2011 data.

It has significantly benefited,

• To the low-income families in rural and urban areas.
• Also the elderly citizens and women.
• Those patients suffering from chronic illnesses.
• And also the migrant workers and informal sector employees.

The scheme has helped the millions of people of India to avoid falling into the poverty trap due to medical costs.

Impact on India’s Healthcare System

Ayushman Bharat has brought the major impact in the India’s healthcare landscape.

It has improved the access to the hospitals, increased health awareness and also have strengthened the public-private healthcare ecosystem.

The scheme has also encouraged the private hospitals to participate and have expanded the network of accessible healthcare facilities.

Importantly it has reduced the financial stress on the families and making the healthcare more inclusive and equitable.

Why Ayushman Bharat Diwas Matters

The Ayushman Bharat Diwas is not just about celebrating the scheme but it is about to recognizing the progress which India has made in the health equity and social welfare.

The day serves to,

• The raise awareness about the healthcare rights.
• Also encourage enrollment and the utilization.
• It will also highlight achievements in public health.
• The day also promote preventive healthcare practices.

It reinforces the idea that healthcare is the basic right not a privilege.

Ayushman Bharat and Global Goals

The scheme aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the UN and particularly target the SDG 3 which focuses on good health and well-being.

By improving the access and affordability the India is contributing to the global mission of ‘Leave No One Behind’ in healthcare.