Latest news with #AyushmanBharatPradhanMantriJanArogyaYojana
Hans India
a day ago
- Health
- Hans India
Katihar ranks third in Bihar in generating Ayushman Cards, 80,000 issued so far
In a significant achievement under the Central government's flagship healthcare initiative, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Katihar district has secured the third position in Bihar for generating Ayushman cards. With over 80,000 cards issued so far, the district has earned a spot among the top ten in the state, reflecting growing public engagement with the scheme. District Magistrate Manish Kumar Meena called on residents to take full advantage of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, describing it as one of the most ambitious and impactful initiatives of the Central government. "Under this scheme, individuals can avail free health treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year. I urge all ration card holders to visit their designated Kendras and get their Ayushman cards made without delay," he said. Speaking to IANS, Deputy Development Commissioner of Katihar, Amit Kumar, shared further insights. "We launched the card generation campaign across Bihar on May 26, rolling it out at the ward level. Despite facing challenges like heavy rains, Katihar managed to perform exceptionally well, securing the third spot in the state. So far, 80,000 Ayushman cards have been generated, and we aim to further increase this number in the coming days." The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the largest health assurance scheme globally, targeting over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families - about 55 crore individuals - who make up the bottom 40 per cent of India's population. The scheme offers annual health cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. Beneficiaries are identified based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data for both rural and urban areas. Launched in 2018, the AB PM-JAY merged with the previous Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) introduced in 2008. It ensures cashless treatment for beneficiaries at the point of service, i.e., at empanelled hospitals. The program is fully government-funded, with implementation costs shared between the Centre and states. The initiative is part of the broader Ayushman Bharat Mission, which aims to reduce out-of-pocket health expenses, improve access to quality care, and push India closer to Universal Health Coverage. It includes the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which has enabled the creation of over 77 crore digital health IDs, connecting citizens to seamless healthcare services. In addition, the government has also launched the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, extending benefits to all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. On Monday, marking the completion of 11 years of the Modi-led government, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda highlighted the impact of the Ayushman Bharat initiative. "In the last 11 years, there has been historic development across sectors—education, health, transport, infrastructure, and defence. The Ayushman Bharat-Jan Arogya Yojana has revolutionised healthcare access for millions," Nadda stated in a post on social media platform X. As of May 30, over 41.02 crore Ayushman cards have been issued across 33 states and Union Territories. The scheme has facilitated 8.59 crore hospital admissions amounting to Rs 1,19,858 crore, offering a critical lifeline for millions and preventing families from falling into debt due to medical costs. Furthermore, the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras providing affordable generic medicines has surged from just 80 in 2014 to 16,469 as of May 30, significantly improving access to essential drugs for the common citizen.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Bihar: Gaya residents get eye treatment, free of cost under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Eye Hospital, inaugurated five years ago in 2020, has become a landmark location in Bihar's Gaya, owing to its famed eye care centre catering to more than 10 lakh people, not just from the city but also adjoining towns including Nawada, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, and Nalanda. The hospital, situated at Kajha village of Wazirganj block of Gaya, is primarily an eye hospital, providing treatment for all types of eye diseases. The hospital has a modular Operation Theatre, two other OTs, 100 indoor patient beds and is equipped with a pathological lab, a spectacle and medicine shop, world-class diagnostic equipment, and a team of trained eye surgeons and paramedical staff. The hospital is again in the spotlight over providing free eye surgery to thousands of patients under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). About 40 per cent of the patients in the hospital are Ayushman cardholders and hence have access to medicines as well as surgeries free of cost under the yojana. Many Ayushman Bharat scheme beneficiaries shared their story with IANS and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching such a scheme. Balinder Singh of Bhedia village in Manpur block said: "I was treated under the Ayushman card. I got timely treatment, food and all facilities. If this card was not there, my treatment would not have been possible." 'In our family, my wife has this card. There is a younger boy, he will also get it made. I thank the central government for this scheme," he added. A woman named Malti Devi, who got her eyes treated at the hospital, said: "My card has been made. The eye operation has been done without any money spent. I want to thank the Modi government. With the help of the Central government, my eyes have been treated." She further stated: "This government is taking special care of the poor. Ayushman cards are being made in rural areas. This initiative is spreading awareness, also. People get to know from one person to another that eye treatment is being done in the hospital. This makes people aware, and they also get themselves treated. If this card had not been there, my eyes would not have been treated. This has been possible because of the Central government, and I want to thank PM Modi for this." Notably, the hospital provided eye care services to 26,240 OPD patients and performed cataract surgery on hundreds of patients through 637 rural eye camps last year. In view of its quality of services and social impact, it was also awarded a certificate of appreciation in 2022 and 2023.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
CM opens med college & hospital in Kandhamal; inaugurates projects worth over Rs 970cr in 2 dists
1 2 Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: A state-of-the-art medical college and hospital was inaugurated by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Kandhamal district on Saturday, fulfilling a long-standing demand of locals. The 100-seat medical college and 650-bed hospital, built at a cost of over Rs 600 crore, is located at Tilakpada near Phulbani. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, CM Majhi emphasised that the facility would provide quality healthcare services to residents of Kandhamal and neighbouring districts like Boudh, Nayagarh and Kalahandi. A govt officer said the medical college hopes to start admission from this year, subject to approval from the National Medical Commission. The 650-bed facility is an upgrade of the existing district headquarters hospital, which would now be attached to the medical college. It had 420 beds earlier. The CM highlighted his govt's commitment to healthcare, noting that the current allocation of Rs 23,635 crore for the health sector represents 8.2% of the total budget — the highest ever in the state's history. "Within the next year, we will address the doctor shortages across the state, ensuring adequate medical staff at every hospital," Majhi said. He added that around 3.50 crore people would benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), integrated with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, covering 29,000 private hospitals statewide. Taking aim at the previous BJD govt, Majhi criticised its failure to implement the Ayushman Yojana and alleged neglect of healthcare infrastructure over the past 24 years. During his first visit to Kandhamal as CM, Majhi also inaugurated five projects worth Rs 655 crore and laid foundation stones for five additional projects valued at Rs 94 crore. These initiatives span various sectors including water supply, education, healthcare, infrastructure and tourism. The govt plans to establish industries in every district, including Kandhamal, to boost employment opportunities. Additionally, Rs 18 crore has been allocated for developing Daringbadi as a tourist destination, with Rs 4.50 crore earmarked for the Putudi waterfall project. The inauguration ceremony was attended by health minister Mukesh Mahaling, Kandhamal MP Sukant Panigrahy, and Phulbani MLA Uma Charan Mallick, among others. Later, the CM visited Subarnapur district, where he launched 56 development projects worth Rs 323 crore. The projects included 11 completed initiatives valued at Rs 80 crore and foundation stones for 45 projects worth Rs 244 crore, encompassing road construction, irrigation facilities, bridges, healthcare infrastructure and hostels. Majhi announced plans to construct four riverbed reservoirs (ISS) on the Mahanadi at Godhaneswar, Khairmal (Birmaharajpur block), Harihar Jor (Ulunda), and Surubali (Birmaharajpur). "Subarnapur will be transformed into a golden region. Our govt has already implemented 11 out of 21 promised programmes within a year. We will continue to support the district's development without any obstacles," Majhi told a public gathering. The CM highlighted Subarnapur's rich cultural heritage, particularly noting its association with Sant Kabi Bhima Bhoi and its contributions to literature, history and traditional crafts. MP (Balangir) Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, who attended the event, praised the state govt's efforts in developing backward regions and acknowledged the central govt's support for infrastructure development. During the programme, Majhi also distributed work orders and assistance to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes. The initiative is part of govt's broader strategy to accelerate development in Subarnapur, with a particular focus on harnessing its river resources for regional prosperity.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Bihar: Gaya beneficiary gets free treatment under Ayushman Bharat scheme
Gaya (Bihar): The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, continues to be a lifeline for countless Indians. Offering free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary hospital care, the scheme has emerged as a game-changer in India's healthcare landscape—especially for the poor and lower-middle-class population. In Bihar's Gaya district, the impact of this flagship scheme is evident in the story of Lalan Chaudhary, a farmer originally from Nalanda district. Currently undergoing treatment at Magadh Medical College in Gaya, Lalan is receiving all his medical services—surgery, medicines, accommodation, and food—completely free of cost through his Ayushman Bharat card. Speaking to IANS, Lalan Chaudhary, a beneficiary, said, 'The hips of both my legs were damaged. I've been under treatment for the last one and a half months, and it's all being done free of cost through the Ayushman card. Where would poor people like us get Rs 5 lakh for treatment? We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Medicines, food—everything is taken care of. This is a very good scheme.' Chaudhary learned about the scheme when a government outreach team visited his village. 'They helped us make the Ayushman card at home itself. Now, many people in our village are benefiting from it,' he added. Such personal accounts reflect the broader transformation in India's healthcare ecosystem over the last decade. Through a combination of digitisation, public sector engagement, and targeted welfare initiatives, the Government has brought quality healthcare within reach for millions who previously struggled with high costs and red tape. Crucially, Ayushman Bharat addresses the needs of the "missing middle"—families who neither qualify for traditional subsidies nor can afford costly private insurance. By enabling access to timely hospitalisation and treatment without pushing families into debt, it has shifted the narrative around medical affordability. As of May 30, 2025, more than 41 crore Ayushman cards have been issued across 33 States and Union Territories. These have enabled over 8.5 crore hospital admissions, translating into Rs 1.19 lakh crore worth of treatment covered. A robust network of nearly 32,000 empanelled hospitals, including both public and private facilities, ensures that beneficiaries like Lalan Chaudhary receive uninterrupted medical care. The scheme's reach was further expanded in October 2024, when the Government extended coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income status. This has particularly benefited elderly citizens in the middle-income group, offering peace of mind to families burdened by rising medical expenses. In tandem with Ayushman Bharat, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is revolutionising access to affordable medicines. What began with just 80 outlets in 2014 has now grown into a network of 16,469 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These stores provide high-quality generic medicines at 50-80 per cent lower prices than their branded counterparts, all certified by WHO-GMP standards. Together, these schemes are ushering in a silent but powerful healthcare revolution in India—bridging the gap between policy and people, and turning the right to health into a lived reality.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Why Ayushman Bharat payments are stalled in Jharkhand
The promise of Ayushman Bharat seems to be unravelling in Jharkhand. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), meant to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to low-income families, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ranchi in 2018. More than 23 lakh people in Jharkhand have availed treatment under the scheme since then. But pending payments to the tune of Rs 190 crore and mounting are jeopardising the future of Ayushman Bharat in Jharkhand. Some 212 hospitals have not received payments since last June, and the rest 538 hospitals empanelled under the scheme await reimbursement since February this year. Hospitals in the districts of Hazaribagh, Koderma, Palamu, and Deoghar have already pulled out of the scheme citing the hold up in payments. And this may just be the beginning. An ambitious scheme AB PM-JAY is the largest health insurance scheme in the world. It provides a cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year to eligible beneficiaries for hospitalisation expenses in both government and empanelled private hospitals. At the moment, some 750 hospitals in Jharkhand are registered under the scheme, according to the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) and the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Current eligibility extends to the bottom 40% households, which is calculated based on deprivation and occupational data from the Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011. The Prime Minister last year announced that coverage will soon be extended to all citizens aged 70 years and above. The cost of implementation of AB PM-JAY is shared between the Central and State Governments in a 60:40 ratio. According to Jharkhand officials, around 28 lakh families (some 1.5 crore people) are enrolled under AB PM-JAY in Jharkhand, with another 38 lakh families (roughly 2 crore people) covered through the state-run Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, for which the state bears the full cost. The way these schemes work is that beneficiaries are issued insurance cards, using which they can avail healthcare services in empanelled hospitals. These hospitals are then reimbursed on actuals by the government from the funds allocated under the scheme. Officials have confirmed to The Indian Express that there is no shortage of funds under the AB PM-JAY scheme, with Rs 2,284 crore allocated to the hospitals over the last 7 years. The problem is that beginning last year, the disbursement of these funds to hospitals has stalled. This is due to two main reasons. IRREGULARITIES & ED CASES: Last year, the National Anti Fraud Unit (NAFU), using AI, flagged 212 hospitals — 180 private and 32 government — for alleged irregularities in the implementation of Ayushman Bharat. These hospitals were subsequently placed 'on hold', which means that the further disbursement of funds to them was halted until the Enforcement Directorate (ED) completes its investigation. In April 2025, the ED conducted raids at 21 locations across Jharkhand, including prominent hospitals in Ranchi localities like Ashok Nagar, PP Compound, and Lalpur. These raids were linked to a CAG audit, which flagged alleged fraud, including the existence of ghost beneficiaries. The ED investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, funds to the other 538 hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Jharkhand, have also been stopped since earlier this year. This has been at the heart of the growing frustration in the state with the scheme. 'The ED is investigating 212 hospitals, till then the remaining hospitals also have to suffer,' said Dr Sayeed Ahmad Ansari, president of the AHPI, Jharkhand. Ansari and others have questioned why the hospitals not flagged by NAFU have also had their funding stopped. On Tuesday (June 3), Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari chaired a meeting with representatives of at least 200 hospitals and other senior officials. After the meeting he announced that the process to release funds to hospitals not under the ED scanner will be started at the earliest. A NEW GLITCHY PORTAL: Dr Anant Sinha, senior surgeon and president of the Jharkhand chapter of the IMA-affiliated Hospital Board blamed the stalling of payments on the introduction of a new web portal earlier this year. 'We were told the things would be streamlined by March… We are still waiting,' he said. Sinha is talking about HEM 2.0 which replaced the older Health Entitlement Management portal, a digital platform used for identifying, verifying, and managing beneficiaries under health schemes like AB PM-JAY. Doctors and officials claim that payments are held up at multiple stages, mostly because of procedural changes and technical shifts in the new web portal. Much of the current logjam is attributed to the launch of HEM 2.0, and the increased insurance cap which accompanied its introduction in February. (The Jharkhand government increased the insurance coverage from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per family under the Mukhyamantri Abua Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, the state's co-branded version of AB PM-JAY, which has also expanded coverage to 38 lakh families in Jharkhand, including all ration card holders in the state). Critics say HEM 2.0 lacks essential filters which has led to backlogs and missing data. As per the officials, another problem is that the payment follows FIFO (First In, First Out) mode where bills are cleared in the order they were approved, not the order in which they are filed. This rigid flow has further slowed claim settlements. A political slugfest Dr Sinha said that non-payment of Ayushman Bharat dues has meant that he has been unable to pay his staff since March. He added that if the payments did not come in, he would stop taking Ayushman Bharat card holders as patients. 'The real loss is to the government and the public,' Sinha warned. AHPI and IMA have claimed that 60 of the 212 NAFU-flagged hospitals have shut down under financial duress. More closures may be on the way if the situation is not sorted out soon. This has made Ayushman Bharat a growing political issue in Jharkhand as well. Babulal Marandi, the state chief of the BJP and the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, accused Hemant Soren's government of failing to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the state. 'Ayushman Bharat, launched by PM Modi from Jharkhand, is now barely functional here,' Marandi said. He claimed that over 500 hospitals have not been paid since February 25, and more than 200 haven't received dues for the past 10 months. 'Hospitals are shutting Ayushman services. Patients are being left in the lurch,' he said. Health Minister Ansari, while countering the former CM's allegations, said that until the ongoing investigation is completed, no hospital will be paid. Ansari claimed that several hospitals linked to BJP leaders are under scrutiny. 'Let me be clear — those misusing the Ayushman scheme for corruption will not be spared,' he said. Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India. Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More
