All Indian citizens over the age of 70 will now have access to free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. Indian President Draupadi Murmu announced that the establishment of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country is progressing rapidly. The announcement was made during her address to the joint session of Parliament in New Delhi on June 27, 2024.
President Murmu's Announcement on Free Healthcare
Additionally, under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), free health services are currently being provided to 55 crore beneficiaries, President Murmu stated. She also noted that the establishment of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country is advancing rapidly. These generic drug stores provide medications at prices that are sometimes 50-90% lower than the branded versions available in the market.
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Expansion and Benefits of Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY
The AB-PMJAY stands as the largest publicly funded health insurance initiative globally, providing ₹5 lakh per family annually for hospitalisation needs beyond primary care. The Hospital Empanelment and Management (HEM) guidelines for AB-PMJAY mandate that State Health Agencies (SHAs) are responsible for empanelled hospitals under the scheme. This extensive coverage and management system aims to ensure that quality healthcare services are accessible to a significant portion of the Indian population.
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The decision to include citizens aged 70 and above in the scheme addresses a significant gap in healthcare coverage for the elderly. A study revealed that only 20% of individuals over the age of 60 were covered under health schemes like the Central Government Health Scheme, Employees State Insurance Scheme, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna, cooperative health insurance schemes, employer medical reimbursement, or privately purchased health insurance. By extending the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to those over 70, the government aims to provide more comprehensive health support to the elderly population.
President Murmu also highlighted India's efforts in promoting AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) to contribute to global health. She mentioned that the International Day of Yoga was recently celebrated as a global event, reflecting the rising prestige of India's rich heritage worldwide. "By promoting yoga and AYUSH, India is helping create a healthier world," the President stated. She highlighted India's growing leadership in diverse sectors including IT, tourism, health, and wellness.