West Bengal has now become the 36th State and Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking a significant step towards universal health coverage. The National Health Authority (NHA) from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Department of Health and Family Welfare for the scheme’s implementation in the state.
During the MoU signing ceremony, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, along with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and other officials, celebrated this milestone in India’s healthcare journey. Nadda commended the West Bengal government for joining the scheme, emphasizing the transformative impact of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, the world’s largest government-funded health assurance program launched in 2018.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme has facilitated over 12 crore treatments valued at more than Rs 1.82 lakh crore, offering crucial financial protection to disadvantaged families. Notably, the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in the country have decreased significantly from 64.6% to 43.4%, showcasing the government’s efforts to enhance healthcare affordability.
The scheme’s digital framework has ensured cashless and paperless transactions, enabling prompt access to quality healthcare services. The efficient implementation of the program has been underscored by The Lancet’s findings, revealing that almost 90% of eligible cancer patients covered under the scheme initiated treatment within 30 days, enhancing healthcare accessibility.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed gratitude to the Centre for its continuous support in bolstering healthcare services in West Bengal.
