Ayushman Bharat, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), is a flagship healthcare scheme launched by the Government of India in September 2018. It is one of the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programs aimed at providing financial protection to over 50 crore economically disadvantaged citizens against catastrophic healthcare expenditures.
The main objectives of Ayushman Bharat are to:
- Provide financial protection to vulnerable families against high medical treatment costs.
- Ensure access to quality healthcare services for the economically disadvantaged population.
- Reduce the financial burden on low-income households due to healthcare expenses.
- Strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in India, especially in rural and underserved areas.
- Promote preventive healthcare measures and increase awareness about health issues.
Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible beneficiaries are entitled to receive coverage of up to INR 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare services. The scheme covers various medical treatments, including pre-existing illnesses and critical conditions, across public and empanelled private hospitals.
The program operates on a health assurance model and is funded by both the central and state governments. States have the flexibility to implement the scheme as per their specific requirements, including the selection of beneficiaries, empanelment of hospitals, and implementation of IT systems for seamless administration.
Ayushman Bharat has significantly expanded healthcare access for millions of Indians, particularly those belonging to vulnerable socio-economic backgrounds. It represents a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in India.