Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), India's flagship healthcare initiative, marked a significant milestone on October 19, 2023, with the creation of 26 crore Ayushman Cards nationwide.
Administered by the National Health Authority (NHA), AB PM-JAY aims to provide comprehensive health coverage, offering 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 fundamental activity under AB PM-JAY, and concerted efforts have been continuously underway to ensure that every eligible beneficiary under the scheme possesses an Ayushman Card.
This objective is a key component of the Ayushman Bhavah campaign, which was launched on September 13, 2023, with the aim of achieving full coverage of government health schemes. Since its launch, more than 1.5 crore Ayushman Card requests have been successfully processed through NHA's IT platform. Remarkably, as of October 19, 2023, 86 lakh Ayushman Cards have been generated during the month of October.
To extend this coverage to the farthest corners of the country, NHA introduced the 'Ayushman App' for Ayushman Card creation. The app features a unique self-verification process that enables users to create an Ayushman Card in just four simple steps, eliminating the need to visit a card creation center. Additionally, any individual can assist beneficiaries in creating Ayushman Cards, fostering greater community involvement. The success of the Ayushman App is evident from its impressive download numbers, exceeding 26 lakhs since its launch on September 13, 2023.
Today, the Ayushman Card has become a symbol of equity, entitlement, and empowerment. It provides assurance to economically disadvantaged families that they will be safeguarded against the financial burden of illness and the resulting catastrophic expenditure for treatment. Recognizing the significance of this initiative, the government is committed to ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries possess an Ayushman Card.
Among the states, Uttar Pradesh leads with 4 crore Ayushman Cards, demonstrating a significant commitment to healthcare access. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh follow, with 3.69 crore and 2.04 crore Ayushman Cards respectively. A noteworthy achievement is that 49% of Ayushman Cards are held by female beneficiaries, promoting gender equity in healthcare access.
This has resulted in savings of over Rs 1 lakh crore in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for impoverished and marginalized families. The initiative continues to make substantial strides towards improving healthcare accessibility and reducing the financial burden on those who need it the most.
