Latest news with #AyushmanBharat-PMJanArogyaYojana
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ayushman enrolments see dip as private hospitals back off over rates, delays
Ayushman enrolments see dip as private hospitals back off over rates, delays (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Empanelment of hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana has dropped significantly, from an average of 316 per month in 2024 to 111 per month in 2025, as of April. Data shared by National Health Authority (NHA) on scheme's dashboard shows that 443 hospitals were empanelled under the AB-PMJAY across India in four months - 161 in Jan, 187 in Feb, 40 in March and 55 in April. In May, the latest update shows, 20 hospitals were empanelled. Many healthcare associations point out that low package rates and delayed payments are key reasons behind the lukewarm response to government schemes from the private sector, especially large corporate hospital chains. However, a senior official of NHA - the implementing agency of the AB-PMJAY - said empanelment is taking place and that some of the new empanelments may not have been updated as they were migrating to a new system. AB-PMJAY, which is available in all states/UTs, except West Bengal, offers treatment worth Rs 5 lakh and, in some cases, more, per family for treatment of nearly 2,000 procedures involving specialties, including medical oncology (cancer treatment), emergency care, orthopaedic and urology (kidney-related ailments). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The CEO of a top hospital chain in Delhi, the latest state to join the scheme, told TOI that package rates offered for various procedures under the AB-PMJAY were lower than their input cost. "We may join the scheme if the package rates are increased," he said. The Indian Medical Association has also stressed on the need to increase package rates to make treatment under the scheme more sustainable. "The rates should be raised to at least CGHS level," said an IMA office-bearer. As many as 609 private hospitals have opted out of the scheme since 2018, minister of state for health Prataprao Jadhav said in a written response to a Parliament question in March. "The reasons for hospitals voluntarily opting out include empanelment only for Covid period, hospitals were closed or non-functional, changes in hospital entity, hospital relocated, ongoing reconstruction or renovation, unavailability of specialist doctors, voluntary withdrawal from scheme, package rates, opting out due to certain treatment packages reserved for public hospitals only (Chhattisgarh and Gujarat), and no referral from public hospitals (Karnataka)," he added.
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Well-being of senior citizens essential for guiding families, society: Murmu
Emphasising the role of senior citizens as pillars of wisdom and tradition, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday (May 2, 2025) called for collective responsibility to ensure the dignity, happiness, and well-being of India's elderly population. Speaking at the 'Ageing with Dignity' programme hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Ms. Murmu underscored the invaluable contribution of senior citizens in shaping society and guiding future generations. "Senior citizens are a vital link to our past and guides to our future," she said, urging all citizens to remain committed to their welfare and learn from their vast experiences. "Our senior citizens represent wisdom, prudence, and tradition. We must ensure that their dignity and health are a shared duty," she said. She appealed to citizens to "honour their presence, value their guidance, and cherish their companionship." Lauding the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) for initiating several measures aimed at ensuring dignity in the lives of the elderly, she appreciated the launch of a dedicated portal for senior citizens, describing it as a "one-stop digital platform" to support their needs. 'Respect for elders embedded in our traditions' The president pointed to cultural values that uphold respect for elders, saying, "Respect for parents and elders is embedded in our traditions. In many households, children are happiest with their grandparents. Often, what children won't accept from their parents, they gladly accept when told by a grandparent." She also acknowledged the emotional and psychological support that elderly family members offer. "When elders see their families thriving, their physical and mental well-being also improves. They are emotional pillars for their families," she said. However, Ms. Murmu expressed concern over the evolving challenges faced by the elderly. "With economic growth and modernisation, young people often migrate for jobs, leaving behind elders who crave love and respect. Sometimes, even when parents live with their children, they don't receive the affection and dignity they deserve. Sadly, some people even consider the elderly a burden," she said. Calling them a "storehouse of knowledge," she highlighted their potential to guide the youth and strengthen the nation's progress. "Our senior citizens can lead society and the country towards greater prosperity," she said. Before the programme, Ms. Murmu interacted with five senior citizens who shared their life experiences. She praised their role in fostering unity in society through their stories and perspectives. She also cited several government initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for senior citizens, such as the Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana, which provides up to ₹5 lakh annually for citizens aged 70 and above. "The health of our elderly is essential for guiding families and society," she noted.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Well-being of senior citizens essential for guiding families, society: Murmu
New Delhi, : Emphasising the role of senior citizens as pillars of wisdom and tradition, President Droupadi Murmu on Friday called for collective responsibility to ensure the dignity, happiness, and well-being of India's elderly population. Speaking at the 'Ageing with Dignity' programme hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu underscored the invaluable contribution of senior citizens in shaping society and guiding future generations. "Senior citizens are a vital link to our past and guides to our future," she said, urging all citizens to remain committed to their welfare and learn from their vast experiences. "Our senior citizens represent wisdom, prudence, and tradition. We must ensure that their dignity and health are a shared duty," she said. She appealed to citizens to "honour their presence, value their guidance, and cherish their companionship." Lauding the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for initiating several measures aimed at ensuring dignity in the lives of the elderly, she appreciated the launch of a dedicated portal for senior citizens, describing it as a "one-stop digital platform" to support their needs. The president pointed to cultural values that uphold respect for elders, saying, "Respect for parents and elders is embedded in our traditions. In many households, children are happiest with their grandparents. Often, what children won't accept from their parents, they gladly accept when told by a grandparent." She also acknowledged the emotional and psychological support that elderly family members offer. "When elders see their families thriving, their physical and mental well-being also improves. They are emotional pillars for their families," she said. However, Murmu expressed concern over the evolving challenges faced by the elderly. "With economic growth and modernisation, young people often migrate for jobs, leaving behind elders who crave love and respect. Sometimes, even when parents live with their children, they don't receive the affection and dignity they deserve. Sadly, some people even consider the elderly a burden," she said. Calling them a "storehouse of knowledge," she highlighted their potential to guide the youth and strengthen the nation's progress. "Our senior citizens can lead society and the country towards greater prosperity," she said. Before the programme, Murmu interacted with five senior citizens who shared their life experiences. She praised their role in fostering unity in society through their stories and perspectives. She also cited several government initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for senior citizens, such as the Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana, which provides up to ₹5 lakh annually for citizens aged 70 and above. "The health of our elderly is essential for guiding families and society," she noted.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dialysis most availed of treatment under PMJAY
NEW DELHI: Dialysis has emerged as the most sought-after treatment under Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana. In the past six years since the central health scheme was launched, data shows more than 64 lakh patients have undergone the procedure. Tamil Nadu has carried out 7.3 lakh dialysis cycles, according to latest data uploaded by National Health Authority, implementing agency for AB-PMJAY, on its website. Madhya Pradesh is next at 5.4 lakh, followed by Uttar Pradesh (5L) and Gujarat (3.4L). ' Kidney failure is a chronic problem' Dialysis is provided free of cost to people under the scheme that offers an annual cover of Rs 5L a family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Senior citizens are eligible for the scheme irrespective of their economic status. Every year, about 2.2 lakh new patients of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) get added in India resulting in additional demand for 3.4 crore dialysis every year. The cost of dialysis varies, with a typical per-session cost ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. 'Kidney failure is a chronic problem and patients suffering from the condition require undergoing dialysis twice weekly for survival. That's why the number of this procedure is so high,' Dr Shuchin Bajaj, founder director of Ujala Cygnus group of hospitals said. He added that diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure and preventing or delaying its onset could help reduce risk of chronic kidney disease and, therefore, the need for dialysis. 'We also need to boost infrastructure and design policy to increase kidney transplants which can help such patients avoid dialysis,' Dr Bajaj added. The health ministry also runs 'Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program' (PMNDP) to make dialysis services available for free to the poor. Apart from dialysis, NHA data shows AB-PMJAY is utilised by the beneficiaries for procedures such as cataract removal, angioplasty, and caesarean deliveries.
