Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 23 September, has launched the world’s largest government-sponsored healthcare program, Ayushman Bharat Yojana – National Health Mission.
The country’s Cabinet approved Ayushman Bharat yojana –National Health Mission (NHM) during its March 21, 2018, session.
Under this program, 100 million Indians living below poverty line in rural and urban areas will be able to get advanced medical treatment up to a value of Rs. 500,000 per family.
Here we explain what Ayushman Bharat Yojana National Health Mission (NHM) is all about.
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Objectives of Ayushman Bharat Yojana:
The main objective of Ayushman Bharat Yojana NHM is to make health care available for the economically weak and vulnerable section of the Indian society.
This means… everyone living below poverty line, based on latest figures of the Indian census will benefit from this Ayushman Bharat Yojana scheme.
Under the scheme, people below the poverty line can get treatment worth Rs.500,000.
This includes primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare.
In simple terms, it entitles economically weak and vulnerable citizens to get advanced treatment such as surgery for cardiac problem and therapies for cancer, among others.
It also includes post-operative care and related medical costs.
Beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat Yojana:
According to reports, there are different categories of people who will be covered by Ayushman Bharat Yojana (NHM).
These people will be from rural, semi-urban and urban centers of India, to ensure maximum coverage for the needy.
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People covered Ayushman Bharat Yojana includes:
- Homeless people/ People without shelter.
- Destitute people who have no relatives or source of income.
- Manual scavengers or those who collect garbage and sewage with bare hands for a living.
- Primitive tribes living in jungles, hilly areas and islands of India.
- Landless laborers.
- Casual workers who depend on daily wages.
- Economically vulnerable members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- Orphaned children without adult wards.
- Households headed by women, including widows.
- Single mothers.
- Women with children, abandoned by husband/ partner.
- Rag pickers
- Domestic helpers/ maid servants/ household servants with low income.
- Street-side and footpath based vendors.
- Construction workers including laborers, masons, and other semi-skilled daily wage earners.
- Watchmen not covered for health care by employers.
- Porters and other workers who carry heavy loads on heads and backs.
- Sweepers, janitors, sanitation workers, gardeners.
- Home-based workers including tailors, small craftsmen, and carpenters, among others.
- Manual rickshaw pullers, cart pushers, cart-based workers.
- Assorted tradesmen including electricians, welders, turners, and fitters.
- Street-side mechanics and craftsmen such as vehicle repairmen, puncture removers, and others.
- Laundry workers, washer women, and men.
- Handicapped persons without shelter and living off alms.
These persons will have to register for the scheme. Details of the registration process are expected to be announced at a later date.
How Rs.500,000 will be used?
Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, the Central government, through various concerned ministries is expected to sponsor the program by allotting funds.
According to estimates by news agencies and finance experts, the Central government will require between Rs.200 billion to Rs.500 billion to launch the scheme.
The money will be paid by the Central government to the administrations of various Indian states and Union Territories.
Another part of the funds will be allotted by these states and Union Territories.
Using these funds, every household living below poverty line can avail of medical treatment from primary check-up and outpatient treatment and medicines to complete hospitalization, advanced surgery and cost of medication up to a maximum of Rs.500,000 per financial year.
Registered persons under Ayushman Bharat NHM will have to present only their papers of the scheme to participating hospitals to avail of treatment and medicines.
The Central and state government will pay the hospitals.
- The Ayushman Bharat does not specify upper limits on the size of a household.
- The scheme will be available to people with pre-existing medical conditions too.
- It will be governed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with other Central government organizations such as Niti Aayog.
Administration of Ayushman Bharat Yojana:
The Central government has asked every Indian state and Union Territory to form a health agency to administer the scheme.
Additionally, Ayushman Bharat NHM will also have a sophisticated system to counter frauds and other illegal activities.
An advanced mechanism for people to seek redress of grievances related to treatment, denial of medical care and other issues will be implemented when the scheme is rolled out.
The system may also be rolled out through Non-Government Organizations and other bodies with an excellent reputation for social service and healthcare.
Medical Treatment Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana:
Under Ayushman Bharat NHM, medical treatment will be available from all Primary Health Centers, hospitals and healthcare facilities operated by village panchayats, municipalities, Central and state governments as well as those operated by Union Territories administrations.
Further, the Indian government plans to bring hospitals and healthcare facilities owned by Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and various autonomous government bodies under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat.
Private hospitals and clinics will be enrolled depending upon eligibility. However, emergency and life-saving treatment at private hospitals are expected to be covered under Ayushman Bharat NHM.
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Wrap Up
The above guide is compiled with data available from various sources such as Indian government and news websites, among others.
Since the scheme has just been launched, there are lots of details that are yet to come. Once available, we will be publishing them on the website.
As mentioned earlier, Ayushman Bharat NHM is targeting an estimated 100 million people living below the national poverty line of India.
However, the number of beneficiaries of this groundbreaking scheme may increase, if latest census figures reveal that more people require health coverage due to their economic plight.
In Conclusion
Ayushman Bharat NHM is something that will make every Indian proud.
Not only is it the world’s largest public healthcare program to be sponsored by any government, but it will also promote healthier living among the economically backward people of this country.
Everyone from street-side beggars lying with open wounds and undernourished orphans suffering chronic disease will be able to get proper medical care if the system is rolled out and administered properly.
This is Ayushman Bharat Yojana in Detail, If we get any update on this yojana we’ll update it here. Share your thoughts about this yojana in the comments sections below.