West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that current beneficiaries of the state’s “Swasthya Sathi” scheme will be enrolled in the central “Ayushman Bharat” scheme starting July. The decision aims to extend the benefits of “Ayushman Bharat” to around six crore people in the state who are currently covered under “Swasthya Sathi.”
Previously, the state government did not implement “Ayushman Bharat” to maintain the effectiveness of its own health insurance scheme. However, with the new BJP-led government, the integration of “Ayushman Bharat” in West Bengal, like in other BJP-ruled states, has been decided. Chief Minister Adhikari mentioned that beneficiaries will receive “Ayushman Bharat” cards in July and even those West Bengal citizens working outside the state will be included in the scheme.
The Chief Minister highlighted that West Bengal has received Rs 500 crore out of the total Rs 2,103 crore sanctioned under the National Health Mission. Additionally, a total of Rs 976 crore has been sanctioned for the “Ayushman Bharat” scheme in the state. Plans are underway to establish medical colleges in districts lacking such facilities, and discussions are ongoing for setting up an AIIMS unit in north Bengal. Furthermore, over 7 lakhs of cervical cancer antidotes will be distributed to girls aged 14-15 in West Bengal, with the official launch scheduled for May 30.
