Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has achieved a significant milestone by creating 30 crore Ayushman cards, announced the government of India in a press release. This flagship scheme, implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA), aims to provide health coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore beneficiary families.
The creation of Ayushman cards is a crucial aspect of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, and concerted efforts have been made to ensure that every beneficiary under the scheme possesses one. These efforts have resulted in the creation of 30 crore Ayushman cards, with over 16.7 crore cards generated in the past two financial years alone.
During the current fiscal year, over 7.5 crore Ayushman cards have been created. This translates to approximately 181 Ayushman cards being created every minute. To expedite card creation at the grassroots level, Ayushman card creation has been included as part of the on-spot services offered during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, which was launched on November 15, 2023. More than 2.43 crore Ayushman cards have been created during the yatra, and the Ayushman Bhava campaign launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has contributed to the creation of over 5.6 crore Ayushman cards.
The government of India highlighted the success of the ‘Ayushman App’ in facilitating Ayushman card creation. This app, launched on September 13, 2023, has been downloaded over 52 lakh times. It offers a unique self-verification feature that enables users to generate an Ayushman card using an Android mobile phone. Additionally, any person can assist beneficiaries in creating an Ayushman card, enhancing the spirit of Jan Bhagidari.
Uttar Pradesh leads the states in Ayushman card creation with 4.83 crore cards, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 3.78 crore and Maharashtra with 2.39 crore cards. Furthermore, 11 states have over 1 crore Ayushman cardholders.
Ensuring gender parity and equitable access to healthcare services is a key objective of the scheme. Currently, 49 percent of Ayushman cards have been issued to female beneficiaries, with approximately 14.6 crore cards created for females. Female beneficiaries have also availed of 48 percent of the treatment provided under the scheme, reflecting the scheme’s commitment to gender equity.
The Ayushman Card has become an emblem of equity, entitlement, and empowerment. It provides assurance to economically disadvantaged families that they will be safeguarded against the financial burden of medical expenses. Through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, the scheme has successfully facilitated 6.2 crore hospital admissions, saving more than Rs. 1.25 lakh crore in out-of-pocket expenditure that would have been incurred if beneficiaries sought treatment outside the scope of the program.
As the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana surpasses the milestone of 30 crore Ayushman cards, the government of India continues its efforts to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries possess an Ayushman card. The scheme’s achievements in providing accessible healthcare and reducing the financial burden on vulnerable families are a testament to its success.
