Universal health coverage takes centre stage in India’s healthcare agenda as the world observes Universal Health Coverage Day on December 12. The theme for this year, “Health for All: Time for Action,” aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to essential health services without causing financial hardship.
India’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is underscored by key statistics.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
- PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance/ assurance scheme fully financed by the government.
- It provides a cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across public and private empanelled hospitals in India.
- Over 12 crore poor and vulnerable entitled families (approximately 55 crore beneficiaries) are eligible for these benefits.
- PM-JAY provides cashless access to health care services for the beneficiary at the point of service, that is, the hospital.
- PM-JAY envisions to help mitigate catastrophic expenditure on medical treatment which pushes nearly 6 crore Indians into poverty each year.
- It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization expenses such as diagnostics and medicines.
- There is no restriction on the family size, age or gender.
- All pre–existing conditions are covered from day one.
- Benefits of the scheme are portable across the country i.e. a beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital in India to avail cashless treatment.
- Services include approximately 1,929 procedures covering all the costs related to treatment, including but not limited to drugs, supplies, diagnostic services, physician’s fees, room charges, surgeon charges, OT and ICU charges etc.
- Public hospitals are reimbursed for the healthcare services at par with the private hospitals.
Over 45 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs have been generated, with more than 2.19 lakh health facilities registered and over 2.28 lakh healthcare professionals onboarded under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The impact is further evident with 24.58 crore Ayushman Cards created, and 27,353 hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY, ensuring a wide reach of health services.
Revolutionizing Primary Healthcare:
India’s focus on primary healthcare is evident through the establishment of over 1.33 lakh Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), operating as teleconsultation hubs. This innovative approach makes comprehensive primary care more accessible, with telemedicine gaining prominence through initiatives like e-Sanjeevani.
At the G20 Leaders’ Summit, India emphasized the importance of achieving universal health coverage and enhancing pandemic preparedness. The leaders recognized the role of evidence-based traditional and complementary medicine, emphasizing equitable access to medical countermeasures, including vaccines.
Recent Figures:
Ayushman Cards Issued: 27,77,94,050 (as of 3rd Dec, 2023)
Hospital Admissions: 5,98,96,397 (as of 3rd Dec, 2023)