AMN / RANCHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana here today. Under the scheme, over 10 crore families will be provided health assurance worth five lakh rupees each, every year.

This is the world’s largest government-funded healthcare program targeting more than 50 crore beneficiaries. The scheme will provide cashless and paperless access to services for the beneficiary at the point of service.

Speaking on this occasion, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said, it was a historic moment as Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana is going to bring a fundamental change in healthcare in the country.

He said, the objectives of the Yojana are to reduce out of pocket hospitalisation expenses, fulfill unmet needs and improve access of identified families to quality inpatient care and day care surgeries. Mr Nadda said, this scheme will be paperless, cashless & portable.

Mr Nadda also said that the country will soon have one lakh fifty thousand wellness centres.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana is the world’s largest fully government-financed health protection scheme. It is a visionary step towards advancing the agenda of Universal Health Coverage.

The services will include 1350 procedures covering pre and post hospitalization, diagnostics and medicines. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will be able to move across borders and access services across the country through the provider network seamlessly.

Prime Minister today also laid the foundation stones for medical colleges at Chaibasa and Koderma. Mr Modi also inaugurated ten Health and Wellness Centres.