West Bengal is set to become the 36th state or union territory in India to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This centrally sponsored scheme offers health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to eligible beneficiaries.
Key Features of the Scheme
The AB-PMJAY provides cashless and paperless access to healthcare services for the economically vulnerable sections of society. It covers pre-hospitalisation, hospitalisation, and post-hospitalisation expenses, including diagnostics, medicines, and medical procedures.
Eligibility and Coverage
Beneficiaries are identified based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data. The scheme targets poor and deprived rural families and identified occupational categories of urban workers. Over 10 crore families across India are eligible for coverage under the scheme.
Implementation in West Bengal
With West Bengal's inclusion, the scheme will now cover almost all states and union territories in India. The state government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Health Authority to roll out the program. This move is expected to benefit millions of families in the state by reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
Impact on Healthcare
The implementation of AB-PMJAY in West Bengal is anticipated to improve healthcare access and outcomes for the poor. It will also help in reducing the financial burden of medical emergencies and chronic illnesses. The scheme has already benefited over 2 crore patients nationally since its launch in 2018.
Future Prospects
With West Bengal on board, the central government aims to achieve universal health coverage. The scheme continues to evolve with new features like digital health IDs and telemedicine services, enhancing its reach and efficiency.
