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Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda conducted a comprehensive review of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) with senior officials of the National Health Authority (NHA) today. The meeting featured a detailed presentation which highlighted the significant achievements and current status of these transformative healthcare schemes.
Since their inception, 34.7 crore (347 million) Ayushman cards have been issued, facilitating over 7.35 crore (73.5 million) hospital admissions worth more than ₹1 lakh crore (1 trillion). These milestones underscore the wide-reaching impact of the PMJAY and ABDM in providing healthcare access to millions of Indians. The NHA also presented plans to further strengthen the network of empanelled hospitals and improve engagement with these healthcare institutions to ensure the schemes’ continued success.
Shri Nadda underscored the importance of these schemes in realising the vision of universal health coverage as envisioned by the nation. He emphasised that the benefits of these visionary schemes must reach the most needy and vulnerable sections of society. To this end, he directed officials to promptly resolve any challenges and issues hampering the effective implementation of PMJAY, in close coordination with state governments. Regular engagement with states is crucial to understanding and addressing issues on the ground, ensuring a seamless execution of the schemes.
To expand the creation of Ayushman cards, especially in urban areas and metropolitan cities, the minister advocated for a bottom-up approach. He proposed creating pathways and mechanisms to facilitate the easy verification and enrollment of eligible beneficiaries, stressing that flexibility and agility in the system are essential to ensuring a smooth and efficient enrollment process.
The minister also highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to directly connect with beneficiaries and gather their experiences regarding hospitalisation and treatment. “It is important to use technology to directly connect with the beneficiaries and enable them to share their patient care experiences with us,” he stated. This feedback will be instrumental in improving the delivery of healthcare services and ensuring that the schemes meet the needs of the beneficiaries.
In addition to reviewing the PMJAY and ABDM, the minister was briefed on the fraud detection and prevention measures implemented by the NHA. These measures have significantly enhanced the efficiency of the schemes, ensuring that resources are utilised effectively and beneficiaries receive the intended services without delays or discrepancies.
The minister reviewed the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), developed by the NHA in collaboration with the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The NHCX facilitates the paperless settlement of claims submitted by hospitals to insurance companies, providing a streamlined and efficient claims process. It also enables IRDAI to have a real-time dashboard view of claim settlement statuses. Currently, 33 insurance companies, covering 99% of the insurance market, are integrated into the NHCX platform. This integration allows citizens to check the status of their insurance claims via mobile, enhancing transparency and accessibility.
India is keenly pursuing cutting-edge technologies to revolutionise its healthcare sector, aiming to enhance accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare services nationwide. MeitY facilitated a collaboration between SAMEER Mumbai and industrial leaders, focusing on indigenous medical technologies. This includes developing a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner and a 6 MEV Linear Accelerator (LINAC) to improve healthcare access and affordability in India. Through these partnerships, SAMEER aims to accelerate the deployment of local healthcare solutions, advancing India’s self-reliance and global healthcare innovation.
With the policies and directives aimed at bolstering the implementation and effectiveness of the Ayushman Bharat schemes, efforts aim to ensure that the benefits extend to the most vulnerable populations, thereby enhancing the reach and quality of healthcare services across India.
