Ayushmaan Bharat Pardhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna, Implemented two years ago, is proving to be a boon for people in getting free medical treatment in critical ailments. The scheme has also helped in increasing universal health coverage in the state. This ambitious scheme implemented on 23rd September, 2018 in the state and is being implemented effectively in Himachal Pradesh.
About five lakh families are eligible for availing benefits of the scheme in the state. As many as 71438 beneficiaries have availed free treatment with an expenditure of Rs. 71.95 crore.
Provision of free treatment upto Rs. 5 lakh
The scheme provides free treatment upto rupees five lakh on hospitalization. At present, 200 hospitals in the state are registered under the scheme, including 62 private hospitals. Beneficiaries can also avail the benefit of free medical treatment in registered hospitals of any other state or Union Territories of the country. About 1579 procedures have been included for free treatment under Ayushmaan Bharat, including day care surgeries.
- Sushma Devi of Rajgarh became first beneficiary
Sushma Devi of Rajgarh area in district Sirmaur was the first beneficiary to get treatment under Ayushmaan Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna in Himachal Pradesh. She underwent successful treatment in Civil Hospital Rajgarh.
- Objective of the scheme
Before implementation of this scheme there was a provision of free treatment upto Rs. 30 thousand only for common diseases under health scheme which was not sufficient for treatment of critical ailments. The poor and needy families had to face difficulty while getting treatment for critical illness. Keeping this situation in view, Prime Minister Narandra Modi launched World’s biggest health security scheme Ayushmaan Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna on 23rd September, 2018.
For successful implementation of this scheme in the state, regional level officers of various departments have been involved. Extensive publicity is being ensured by the Information and Public Relations Department. Panchayati Raj institutions have also been involved to give information related to the scheme and discussions are held in Gram Sabhas of each Panchayat.
- Golden cards are being issued
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal said that Golden cards are being issued regularly under the Ayushmaan Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna, so that maximum needy families can avail the benefit of the scheme. The eligible families can take their Aadhar Card and Ration Card to the nearest Lok Mitra Kendra and make the Golden card. He urged the eligible families to make their golden care at earliest so that they could avail benefit of free treatment of upto rupees five lakh when required. He said that beneficiaries can also contact toll free number 14555 to know their eligibility.