India's Health Shield: 5 Lakh Cover Reaches Millions

India's Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has achieved a significant milestone, with over 42.31 crore Ayushman cards generated as of October 31. The scheme offers a substantial health cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family each year, catering to secondary and tertiary hospitalizations for the economically vulnerable sections of the population. In the previous financial year alone, the government successfully settled 2.02 crore claims, disbursing a total of Rs 28,732.18 crore.

The government has recently expanded the scheme's reach by including an additional 3.7 million Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), Anganwadi Workers (AWW), and Anganwadi Helpers (AWH) and their families. Furthermore, the Ayushman Vay Vandana card now extends coverage to 60 million senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status, with 8.95 million cards already issued under this category.

Complementing the scheme's expansion, 180,906 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), formerly Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, are now operational nationwide. These centres provide comprehensive screening for non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes, alongside teleconsultation services, bringing essential healthcare closer to citizens and ensuring a continuum of care.