Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on August 18, 2021, chaired an event Aarogya Dhara- 2.0 to mark the completion of 2 crore treatments under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
With the completion of more than 2 crore hospital admissions landmark on August 17, 2021, treatments worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore have been provided till date through a growing network of 23,000 public and private empaneled hospitals to patients across 33 States/UTs in the country since the launch of the scheme on September 23, 2018, according to a PIB release.
Expressing his happiness over the achievement and congratulating every employee who has made the feat possible, the Union Health Minister said, “Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is an ambitious scheme ensuring quality and affordable healthcare for the poor and underprivileged people. The scheme has empowered all eligible beneficiaries with cashless and paperless healthcare services benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. Thus, many disadvantaged sections can afford treatment without turning to moneylenders.”
On the staunch political commitment on the journey towards Universal Health Coverage in India, Mandaviya noted, “Prime Minister’s humble background enables him feel the pain of the poor and helpless.” He took the occasion to exhort common people to spread awareness about the scheme so that more and more people are enrolled and medical care can be extended in need to them under the programme. Citing examples from his personal life, the Minister noted that the scheme has enabled poor people to afford treatment at the same hospital like his well-off peer.
Mandaviya also virtually inaugurated Arogya Dhara 2.0 to increase the reach of AB PMJAY programme to the poorest of the poor households in the country and to make the beneficiaries aware about the scheme.
The following key initiatives were also launched on the occasion :
Adhikar Patra: to be issued to the beneficiaries during their hospital admissions for treatment under PM-JAY scheme to make them aware about their rights so that they can claim free and cashless healthcare services up to Rs 5 lakhs under the scheme.
Abhinandan Patra: a ‘thank you note’ to be issued to the beneficiaries during their discharge after the treatment under PM-JAY for availing the benefits of AB PM-JAY scheme. The Abhinandan Patra is also accompanied by a feedback form to be filled in by the beneficiary regarding the service they received under the scheme.
Ayushman Mitra: Another key initiative launched which provides an opportunity to all citizens to contribute to the vision of Ayushman Bharat by helping eligible people to get their Ayushman Cards created and bring them under the ambit of the scheme. This can be done by logging in to https://pmjay.gov.in/ayushman-mitrato create Ayushman Mitra ID which can then be shared with eligible people. While getting Ayushman Cards and while availing treatments under the scheme the Ayushman Mitra ID can be shared by beneficiaries to CSC/empaneled hospital.
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare also interacted with beneficiaries of the programme during the event.