Ayushman Bharat Scheme
- Context: West Bengal has officially become a part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), making it the final state in the country to be covered under the flagship health insurance scheme.
About Ayushman Bharat Scheme
- Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is the world’s largest public healthcare scheme.
- It was launched on 23 September 2018 to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Coverage under AB-PMJAY
- Provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care.
- Offers cashless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals.
Pillars of Ayushman Bharat
- AB-PMJAY
- Provides financial protection against high medical expenses.
- Ensures affordable secondary and tertiary healthcare.
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM)
- Deliver accessible primary healthcare close to people’s homes.
- Provide services for NCDs, mental health, palliative care, diagnostics and free medicines.
Features
- Upgraded infrastructure.
- Additional healthcare personnel.
- Essential drugs and diagnostics.
- Teleconsultation facilities.
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
- Creates a digital health ecosystem through ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account).
- Enables seamless sharing of health records across healthcare facilities.
- PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
- Launched on 25 October 2021.
- Strengthens health infrastructure, disease surveillance and research systems.
Objectives
- Bridge critical gaps in healthcare facilities.
- Improve preparedness for future pandemics and health emergencies.
Importance of Ayushman Bharat
- Promotes affordable and quality healthcare for all.
- Strengthens primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
- Enhances digital health infrastructure.
- Improves healthcare accessibility in rural and remote areas.
- Builds resilient health infrastructure for future emergencies.
