In a remarkable healthcare transformation, the Ayushman Bharat initiative, which includes the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and AB PM-JAY SEHAT, has successfully covered 82.59 lakh beneficiaries in Jammu and Kashmir. These schemes have shown significant progress following the abrogation of Article 370.
Prior to the implementation of AB PM-JAY, J&K had no public-funded health insurance schemes, leaving people burdened with high out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatments, which were often unaffordable.
The AB PM-JAY was launched on December 1, 2018, and after two years of successful implementation, the J&K government took a momentous decision to extend the benefits of AB PM-JAY to the entire population through 100% government funding, leading to the creation of Universal Health Coverage (AB PM-JAY SEHAT).
A groundbreaking initiative, AB PM-JAY SEHAT, launched by the Prime Minister on December 26, 2020, extended the benefits of AB PM-JAY to all residents of the Union Territory, including employees and pensioners.
Sanjiv M. Gadkar, Chief Executive Officer of the State Health Agency, J&K, praised the positive impact of the scheme. He noted a significant increase in the number of patients accessing tertiary care facilities from previously inaccessible and hard-to-reach areas.
The introduction of cashless medical care has allowed people to seek treatment at the best healthcare institutions, a facility that was extended to the entire population, setting it apart from similar schemes in other states.
Since its inception, AB PM-JAY SEHAT has achieved impressive results, with 9,07,368 patient admissions and claims paid amounting to 1523 crore rupees.
The success of AB PM-JAY SEHAT has been attributed to factors such as financial protection provided by the schemes, comprehensive advocacy and awareness programs, efficient registration of beneficiaries, and the augmentation of human resources and empaneled healthcare providers across different districts.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the State Health Agency has achieved significant milestones in the over four years of its existence. Notably, 100% of families in J&K now possess at least one Ayushman Card, with more than 82 lakh people benefiting from the scheme.
Gadkar emphasized that over 232 public and private hospitals have been empaneled under the scheme in J&K, vastly improving healthcare in the region. Furthermore, people moving to different parts of the country can receive treatment in empaneled hospitals, expanding the scheme’s reach.
AB-PMJAY and AB PM-JAY-SEHAT schemes have provided over 8.19 lakh free and cashless treatments to J&K domiciles, both within the UT and through the portability option, amounting to over Rs 1400 crore. On average, the daily claim outgo is about Rs 2 crore. The Government’s commitment to sustainability has led to ongoing efforts to focus on various aspects of the policy, ensuring that AB PM-JAY continues to benefit all residents, including employees and pensioners.
The scheme’s comprehensive coverage and inclusion of oncology packages have further solidified its position as the world’s largest health assurance initiative, funded by the Central and State governments of India. As a result, it aims to provide quality secondary and tertiary care to poor and vulnerable families identified by SECC 2011 data.
With an ambitious and successful implementation model, AB PM-JAY has brought about a transformative change in healthcare, making it more accessible, equitable, and affordable for all residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
