GUWAHATI, Sept 23 - Consequent upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s launch of the world's largest government-funded healthcare programme named �Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana�, Chief Minister Sarbanadna Sonowal rolled out the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission at a programme held at the Veterinary ground here today.
The programme aims to make healthcare accessible and affordable by providing a coverage of Rs 5 lakh to 10 crore economically backward families. Nearly 31 States and Union Territories will implement the programme to enable 50 crore Indians to reap dividends from the scheme. The ambitious scheme named �Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan� targets economically backward families from both rural and urban India. Eligible people can avail the benefits in government and listed private hospitals.
The beneficiaries are identified based on four �deprivation categories�.
There is no cap on family size and age in the scheme, ensuring that nobody is left out. In case of hospitalisation, members of the beneficiary families do not need to pay anything under the scheme, provided one goes to a government or an empanelled private hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal termed the day �historic� for the people of India. Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister, Sonowal said, �We are committed to building a healthy and fit State, and Ayushman Bharat will benefit approximately 27 lakh poor and vulnerable families, which will bring in a paradigm shift in the State's healthcare system.�
He, however, said awareness needs to be generated throughout the State about the programme.
The Chief Minister said the scheme has the potential to target even the poorest of the poor. He also said the scheme will ensure access to advanced and affordable healthcare delivery system to the poor.
Giving a snapshot of the schemes of the NDA government, Sonowal said schemes like Ujjawala, Jan Dhan Yojana, Saubhagya, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, etc. are aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the people of the country.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his speech, said that through the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the State government would aim at touching the lives of 1.40 crore individuals in the State.
Under the scheme, 1,350 procedures and 1,394 medical and surgical packages will be covered and treatment can be done in all medical colleges and empanelled nursing homes. On November 1, 2018, all district hospitals will be brought under the purview of the scheme.
Under the scheme, Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Mitras will be pressed into service for the beneficiaries at every empanelled hospital. The beneficiaries have been drawn based on the data of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011. Sonowal also distributed cards among few beneficiaries.
Union Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain, MP Bijoya Chakraborty, Hill Areas Development Minister Sum Ronghang, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika, several MLAs, Chief Secretary Alok Kumar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
