On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the eighth anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, asserting that it now provides an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh to over 60 crore beneficiaries. Speaking from New Delhi, the Prime Minister highlighted the initiative's transformation into the world's largest healthcare program, designed to ensure quality and affordable medical access for every Indian.
PM Modi shared on social media 'X' that the scheme's foundational goal was universal access to top-quality, affordable healthcare. He noted that the extensive coverage has led to significant savings on medical expenses, directly benefiting India's poor and middle-class families. This financial protection, he stated, makes healthcare more accessible across the nation.
Further elaborating on the scheme's impact, MyGovIndia's shared data underscored its widespread reach. Under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY component, free treatments have saved families over Rs 2 lakh crore in healthcare costs. The network now encompasses more than 38,000 hospitals nationwide, facilitating over 13 crore hospital admissions since its inception. Primary healthcare has also seen a boost, with 1.86 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs recording over 500 crore visits, bringing essential care closer to communities.
The scheme's inclusivity extends to 6 crore senior citizens aged above 70, who receive coverage regardless of their socio-economic status. Significantly, nearly one in two Ayushman Cards belongs to women, demonstrating their substantial participation. Preventative health efforts have also scaled up, with over 42 crore screenings for diabetes and hypertension, alongside millions of screenings for oral, breast, and cervical cancers, aimed at early risk identification. Moreover, the portability feature has enabled over 30 lakh treatments, valued at more than Rs 8,800 crore, to be availed outside beneficiaries' home states.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean News