Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced today that over 34.7 crore Ayushman Bharat cards have been generated, providing health insurance coverage to millions of Indians. While tabling the Economic Survey in Parliament, a day before the Union Budget announcement, Sitharaman revealed that the scheme has also facilitated 7.37 crore hospital admissions in India.
Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat comprises two key components: Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). HWCs provide preventive, primitive, and curative services at the grassroots level, while PM-JAY offers insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
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Sitharaman highlighted that Ayushman Bharat has not only saved lives but also prevented generations from falling into debt traps. The scheme has resulted in an equity-based reduction of out-of-pocket expenditure for poor and deprived families, saving over Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
The Finance Minister also emphasized the importance of mental health, citing its intrinsic and economic value. She warned against the excessive use of smartphones and the internet, which can lead to the “great rewiring of childhood” and have negative consequences on mental health.
The Economic Survey, prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs, highlights the significant progress made by Ayushman Bharat in ensuring healthcare access to millions of Indians.
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