Ayushman Bharat | 21 Nov 2024

About Ayushman Bharat 

• Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat is a flagship program of the Government of India, in line with the recommendations of the National Health Policy 2017 to realize the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).  
• This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to improve healthcare access across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels through a comprehensive continuum-of-care approach. 
• Ayushman Bharat comprises two interrelated components:  
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (formerly Health and Wellness Centres or AB-HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). 

What is Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM)?   

• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs offer a wide range of healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, and curative care.  
• To enhance healthcare accessibility, existing Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs), both rural and urban, are being upgraded to provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). 

What is Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)? 

• About: 
  • AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, offering up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. 
  • Under AB PM-JAY, there is no cap on family size, age, or gender, ensuring inclusivity for all beneficiaries.  
    • In addition, pre-existing diseases are covered from the very first day. 
• Key Features: 
  • Comprehensive Coverage: PM-JAY covers 1,949 medical procedures across 27 specialties, including free drugs, diagnostics, food, lodging, and 15 days of post-discharge medication. 
  • Eligibility and Beneficiary Identification: The households included are based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas respectively.  
    • Eligibility for Rural Beneficiaries: PM-JAY covers families meeting at least one of six deprivation criteria, including destitute households, manual scavengers, primitive tribal groups, and legally released bonded laborers, as well as those with specific living conditions or lack of adult members. 
    • Eligibility for Urban Beneficiaries: PM-JAY covers beneficiaries from 11 occupational categories, including ragpickers, beggars, domestic workers, street vendors, cobblers, hawkers etc. 
  • Cashless and Paperless Process: Beneficiaries can receive free treatment without any out-of-pocket expenses, as the scheme employs a cashless and paperless model.  
    • The hospital's expenses are covered directly through the scheme, with funds transferred seamlessly to empaneled hospitals. 
  • Monitoring and Accountability: PM-JAY is implemented in partnership with states and Union Territories, managed by the National Health Authority (NHA).   
    • The National Health Authority oversees the program, setting up checks to prevent misuse, fraud, and overcharging.  
    • Regular audits and digital monitoring systems ensure transparency and accountability in fund utilization and service delivery. 

What are Other Initiatives to Support Ayushman Bharat? 

• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): 
  • About: Launched in 2021, the ABDM aims to create a digital health infrastructure for India, enabling a seamless exchange of health data and enhancing accessibility, equity, and the quality of healthcare services. 
    • This flagship scheme was launched with an outlay of Rs 1,600 crore for 5 years from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026. 
  • Components of ABDM: 
    • ABHA Number (Unique Health ID): ABDM’s key initiative is the creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), which provides a unique 14-digit number to each citizen, simplifying the access and sharing of health records. 
      • It ensures secure and accurate health data, collecting demographic and contact details, with easy updates. 
    • ABHA Mobile App (Personal Health Record - PHR): The ABHA app enables users to create an ABHA address, link health records, and manage consent for data sharing. 
    • Other Components: The Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) is a digital platform connecting healthcare professionals to India's healthcare ecosystem, while the Health Facility Registry (HFR) catalogs healthcare facilities to enhance service coordination and integration.  
  • Technological Support: Leverages India’s existing digital infrastructure (Aadhaar, UPI, JAM trinity) for identity verification, electronic transactions, and secure storage of health data. 
    • Uses emerging technologies like AI, IoT, Blockchain, and cloud computing to enhance the digital health ecosystem. 
  • Significance: 
    • The strong digital infrastructure supports the streamlined management of health records and services, enabling paperless transactions and secure healthcare management. 
    • The integration with existing platforms like AB-PMJAY ensures a seamless health service experience. 
• Ayushman Bhav Campaign   
  • About: 
    • The Ayushman Bhav campaign was launched in 2023 with the objective to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage across India, ensuring every individual in rural and urban areas has access to essential health services.  
    • This initiative, aligned with the Ayushman Bharat program, focuses on achieving UHC through a whole-of-nation approach, involving government sectors, civil society, and communities. 
  • Key Components of the Campaign Include: 
    • Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0: Providing Ayushman cards to eligible beneficiaries under PM-JAY. 
    • Ayushman Melas: Held at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs), offering health services, ABHA ID creation, and teleconsultation with specialists. 
    • Ayushman Sabhas: Community gatherings in villages and Panchayats to distribute Ayushman cards, generate ABHA IDs, and raise awareness about health schemes and diseases.