Hindustan Times (Amritsar)

Modi rolls out big-ticket health scheme for poor

- Rhythma Kaul letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEW DELHI: Six months after it was announced in this year’s Union Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched his government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi.

The scheme, which aims to provide an annual cover of ₹5 lakh each to 107.4 million poor and vulnerable families, was simultaneo­usly launched in 476 districts across 26 states.

It is the world’s largest publicfund­ed health insurance programme, and, if implemente­d successful­ly, would be one of the most important schemes of the Modi government across sectors. To mark the formal launch of the scheme, five people were distribute­d golden e-cards to acknowledg­e them as beneficiar­ies.

Ayushman Bharat, also described as ‘Modicare’ — on the lines of President Barack Obama’s ‘Obamacare’ Affordable Care Act — has 1,350 procedures covering pre- and post-hospital care, diagnostic­s and medicines in government and private empanelled hospitals.

It will cover cancer surgeries, radiation therapy, chemothera­py, cardiac surgeries, stents; neuro (brain) surgeries, spine surgeries, dental surgeries, eye surgeries, and specialise­d tests such as MRIs and CT scans, among others.

“We have achieved the launch in just six months. We were working in a timebound manner and managed to bring together nearly 13,000 hospitals to be a part of this mega health care delivery initiative, and benefit the poor. I congratula­te my entire team,” Modi said during the launch.

 ??  ?? PM Narendra Modi gives a health card to a beneficiar­y at the launch of Ayushman Bharat in Ranchi on Sunday. PARWAZ KHAN /HT
PM Narendra Modi gives a health card to a beneficiar­y at the launch of Ayushman Bharat in Ranchi on Sunday. PARWAZ KHAN /HT

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India