Ayushman Bharat empowering rural Bihar: Over Rs1000 crore saved in out-of-pocket expenses in just one year
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 7 (ANI): Bihar is witnessing a healthcare revolution as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) continues to transform the lives of millions across the state, particularly in rural areas. In a significant milestone, the state has helped beneficiaries save over Rs1000 crore in out-of-pocket medical expenses within a single year -- a testament to the scheme's growing reach and effectiveness.
Affordable and quality medical care is no longer a distant dream for the rural population of Bihar. Through relentless efforts by the State Health Agency (SHA), the state has achieved 100% coverage of all eligible families under the AB PM-JAY scheme. This has ensured that every entitled household receives the financial protection and medical assistance promised under India's largest publicly funded health insurance scheme.
The scope of healthcare delivery has further expanded with the integration of the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, a state initiative aimed at widening the ambit of health coverage. This integration not only strengthens the infrastructure but also ensures that even more residents benefit from free and quality healthcare.
Currently, over 1100 hospitals are empanelled under the scheme in Bihar, and notably, 50% of these are private hospitals. This balanced participation of both public and private healthcare institutions has significantly enhanced service delivery, reduced waiting times, and brought medical care closer to the people.
The State Health Agency has launched a series of special initiatives to ensure seamless and corruption-free implementation. These include digital monitoring, robust grievance redressal mechanisms, regular audits, and on-ground awareness drives. The SHA's commitment is focused on plugging loopholes and ensuring that the real beneficiaries -- the people of Bihar -- are not left behind.
Officials believe that such transformative steps under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY are not only improving health outcomes but are also playing a pivotal role in reducing rural distress, preventing medical indebtedness, and empowering families economically and socially.
As Bihar sets new benchmarks in public healthcare delivery, the Ayushman Bharat scheme stands out as a shining example of how proactive governance and inclusive policies can change the face of rural healthcare in India. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- India Gazette
Delhi HC grants interim bail to woman suffering from cancer
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has granted interim bail to a woman whose condition is serious due to cancer. She is an accused in a drug case registered by the Delhi Police Crime Branch under the NDPS Act. Justice Tushar Rao Gedela granted petitioner Jyoti interim bail until June 15. The High Court will hear the application on June 13. While issuing notice to the state, the bench has asked the Investigation Officer to verify the medical documents and a status report be filed within 3 days. Keeping in view the extreme and terminal medical condition of the applicant and in view of the humanitarian medical crisis which has arisen, the court allowed the application seeking interim bail. 'The applicant is enlarged on interim bail on medical grounds till.15.06.2025, subject to the applicant furnishing a personal bond of Rs . 1,00,000 with one surety of the like amount, subject to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintendent/Trial Court,' Justice Gedela ordered on June 4. Petitioner is an accused in an NDPS Act and was granted interim bail on May 19, 2025 till June 5 on the medical grounds in view of her condition. However the trial court refused to extend the interim bail as her regular bail is pending before the High court. Thereafter, an application seeking interim bail was moved before the High Court. Senior advocate Amit Chaddh,a counsel for the applicant, submitted that as per the Diagnosis Report dated 02.06.2025 of the hospital, the applicant Jyoti, aged 39 years, is suffering from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. This is an uncommon and rare kind of cancer. It was further submitted that on an application seeking further extension of the interim bail, on 04.06.2025, the Sessions Judge was not inclined to extend it further and had rejected the interim bail application holding that he had no jurisdiction, since the regular bail plea is pending before this Court. (ANI)
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- India Gazette
Healthy India can be ensured through healthy food habits and lifestyle: JP Nadda on World Food Safety Day
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 7 (ANI): On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda, delivered the keynote address at a special programme themed 'Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy' at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a release. JP Nadda said that a healthy India is necessary for Viksit Bharat, and that can be ensured through the right types of food, healthy food habits, and lifestyle. Organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, the programme focused on the critical role of food safety and nutrition in preventing non-communicable diseases such as obesity, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to promote preventive health through traditional and wholesome dietary practices. Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development Department, Government of Karnataka, Dr Sharan Prakash R Patil, Members of Parliament, Lahar Singh Siroya and P C Mohan, Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava and senior officers of the Government of India also attended the event. In his keynote address, Nadda reiterated the Prime Minister's emphasis on preventing obesity and prioritising wellness. Emphasizing the urgent need to address the rising burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases, Nadda stated that 'the awareness initiative to stop obesity is a timely step towards educating people about the health risks of poor dietary habits and encouraging them to embrace balanced, nutritious food' and underlined that 'for a Viksit Bharat, a healthy India is necessary and that can be ensured through the right types of food, healthy food habits and healthy lifestyle.' The Union Health Minister underlined the importance of safe, healthy, and nutritious food and the benefits of a balanced diet that can ensure increased immunity. Nadda reaffirmed the commitment to this year's World Food Safety Day theme, 'Food Safety: Science in Action.' Recognising the alarming trend of rising obesity, citing the ICMR-India Diabetes (INDIAB) study, Nadda stated that 'from 2008 to 2020, obesity in urban India has increased by 39.6 per cent, while it has increased 23.1 per cent in rural areas.' He also cited another study that projects that by 2050, 1/3 of the country's population will be obese. Underlining the challenge of unhealthy foods and dietary habits, especially in urban areas, Nadda stressed that children are the most vulnerable group when it comes to adulterated foods, as they are attracted towards unhealthy foods and their advertisements. To meet this challenge, he called for ensuring awareness at a young age to bring a better impact. Highlighting the negative impact of ultra-processed foods on health, Nadda urged everyone to be careful of their food habits and adhere to nutritious food that brings healthy changes to one's mind and body. He further added that 'eating right is a right that one must exercise. Eating right and ensuring awareness about it is a collective responsibility of the government, industry, academia, and individuals.' Nadda urged all stakeholders to respond to the Prime Minister's clarion call and reduce oil consumption by 10 per cent and salt intake, which can be ensured through awareness of the right food habits. Nadda also commended the innovative behavioural change strategy i.e., the widespread promotion of Sugar and Oil Boards across schools, workplaces and public institutions, developed by FSSAI under the aegis of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare that serve as powerful visual advocacy tools, displaying clear, relatable information about hidden sugars and fats in everyday food items. By embedding these messages in common spaces- canteens, corridors, meeting rooms- they subtly nudge individuals to make healthier choices. He also suggested that to make the initiative more effective, calorie intake should also be highlighted along with sugar, and he urged the incorporation of awareness in the curriculum. Emphasising the importance of traditional foods, Nadda urged all to 'go for traditional foods that include foods like millets and revive them to ensure health for all.' He further highlighted the importance of informed choices and lifestyle changes and remarked that food safety habits are a continuous process that needs to be made a part of our lives and turned into a movement to 'eat right' while adhering to food safety norms.' (ANI)
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Bihar pushes up its Ayushman Bharat health insurance coverage
Bihar is now among the Indian States leading in the enrolment of cardholders under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), with 3.94 crore Ayushman cards created till date, according to data released by the State government. It has also helped beneficiaries save over ₹1,000 crore in out-of-pocket medical expenses within a single year. Bihar is the third most populous State in the country, with about 80% rural population, and a literacy rate of less than 70%. It faces health challenges, including high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, and limited access to quality healthcare. As part of its drive to ensure maximum coverage, a recent four-day drive, from May 26-30, brought 17.38 lakh more cardholders into the Central government-run cashless health insurance scheme, offering treatment for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation for the economically weaker sections of society. Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are the other two States that have recently indicated a high enrolment rate. The flagship health insurance scheme, launched in 2018, offers cashless healthcare treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. Initially, the State Government had adopted the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC 2011) data for implementing the AB-PMJAY scheme, Shailesh Chandra Diwakar, Administrative Officer, Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (Ayushman Bharat), said on the recent focus to expand the coverage of the Ayushman card. In February 2024, the Bihar Government adopted the National Food Security Act (NFSA) database and provided coverage to all NFSA-registered family members. 'This saw many more ration cardholders coming into the AB-PMJAY fold. More than 2.8 crore Ayushman cards were created in 2024,' Mr. Diwakar said. Besides this, the State has launched various measures, including an enhanced cash incentive of ₹15 (from ₹5) to ASHA workers involved in verified enrolments; camps at railway stations to capture those in need when people travel back into the State for festivals; and door-to-door campaigns. 'These extensive mop-up rounds are for individuals who have been left behind,' Shashank Shekhar Sinha, CEO, Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY-Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission), said. The State has also recently registered enrolment of 2.82 lakh persons under the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card (for senior citizens 70 years and above). According to the State government, the total claims paid rose from 3.03 lakh cases in FY 2023-24 to 7.52 lakh cases in FY 2024-25, and more than 2.83 crore Ayushman cards were created in 2024. A first time Ayushman card user, speaking of his enrolment, and experience with availing the treatment, said that he had had his card made only after he reached the hospital to be treated for cataract. 'Though we had heard about the Ayushman card, since we didn't need hospitalisation, we never got the card made,' Lalan Choudhary, a resident of Bihar's Nalanda district, who is now undergoing free treatment at a private healthcare facility in Gaya under the AB-PMJAY, said. 'This is a problem we are facing in the State — though people know about the card, they will enrol under the scheme often only when they seek treatment,' Mr. Diwakar added. The State is now trying to rope in eligible individuals who have not opted for the scheme. Khushi Praveen, 19, who was operated for spinal deformity 10 days ago, speaking about her use of the Ayushman card, said that she had been suffering for a nearly a year without money to secure treatment and surgery. 'Though I needed surgery, without money, there was no access to healthcare. My doctor in the private sector suggested that I get my Ayushman card and get operated. Using the card, I got surgery and am healing well now, and hope to be able to walk soon,' Ms. Praveen said. Parmilla Devi, 50, had her cataract operation performed under the scheme. 'My husband and I work as farmers and couldn't have afforded the surgery otherwise. My husband is also now planning to apply for his card also,' Ms. Devi said. Rajaram Prasad, Chief Surgeon, Gaya district, said that in Gaya district (one of the 38 districts in Bihar), which is seeing robust enrolment and use of the card, in 2024-25, a total of 18,734 people were treated in government hospitals at an expense of about ₹15 crore under the Ayushman scheme. 'Affordable, quality medical care is now no longer a distant dream for the rural population of Bihar,' Dr. Prasad said. Besides the enrolment of more individuals under the scheme, Bihar is also looking at enhancing the number of hospital service providers. Currently, over 1,100 hospitals are empanelled under the scheme in Bihar, 50% of which are private hospitals, a senior Bihar health official.
