The Ayushman Bharat scheme has been dubbed "Modicare" after PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched Ayushman Bharat, billed as the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programme. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, which would benefit 50 crore Indians, will be rolled out from Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi. The programme, also called Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan, aims to provide coverage of Rs 5 lakh to 10 crore economically backward families. "The prime minister will launch the scheme on September 23 but effectively it will become operational from September 25 on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay," said NITI Aayog member Dr Vinod Paul, who is the chief architect of the scheme.
Here are the live updates of the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (PMJAY) - Ayushman Bharat in the state's capital city of Patna and congratulated the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the same.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya's dream to uplift the poor was realized with the launch of the central government scheme that aims to provide health insurance cover to nearly 50 crore Indians.
"Ayushman Bharat will bring mega health reform in the country as it will cover 10.74 crore families across the country, bringing a paradigm shift in the health sector," the Union health minister said, adding it is a unique scheme which will cover all poor people of the country", Union Health Minister JP Nadda said.
Over 8,735 hospitals, both public and private, have been empanelled for the scheme, and as many as 31 states and union territories have signed MoUs with the Centre to implement the programme, a PTI report said.
Ayushman Bharat doesn't only provide financial support ,but in the next 4 years it is envisaged that nearly 1.5 lakh next door wellness centres will be opened, which will provide free test facilities and treatment of simple ailments: PM Modi in Ranchi
Today Ayushaman India from Lucknow partnered at the Nation wide launch event of the scheme. This plan is the world's largest health defence scheme designed to protect the poor, he wrote
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also launched the Centre's flagship Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana PMJAY-Ayushman Bharat in the state capital, noting that it will prove to be a "Modi kawach" for the poor.
Hailing the launch of the scheme, BJP president Amit Shah said the government has given the poor the right to live with dignity with its various schemes.
He said the poor were at the centre of the government's projects, which has also launched a scheme to provide them homes besides offering other facilities.
Today I pray that that no poor has to face any such problem that they have to knock doors of the hospital. But if they do, then Ayushman Bharat is at your doorstep. The poor of my country must get all facilities that the rich get too," PM Modi said
"The number of people covered by the scheme is equal to the population of Europe and the United States. The number of people covered in the Ayushman Yojana is equal to the total population of America, Canada and Mexico. This is not a small work," PM Modi said
"People are calling the insruance scheme by different names, but for me it is an opportunity to serve the poor," PM Modi said
"This is the largest scheme of it's kind in the world," PM Modi announces
In 400 districts in the country, similar big functions are being organised, says PM Modi
"Today we are witnessing the special occasion, which will be analysed in the future as a great service to humanity": PM Modi at the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan
Ayushman Bharat is the world's largest public healthcare scheme
PM Modi launches the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Ranchi
PM Modi at the venue for the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme
IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is attending the launch of Ayushman Bharat at the Gyan Bhawan in Patna along with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Governor of Bihar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the venue for the launch of the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme
Ministers are present in cities across the country to launch the scheme. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was at the launch of the Ayushman Bharat programme in Mumbai.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh attended a launch function in Lucknow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Ranchi for the launch of the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme
After launching the Ayushman Bharat scheme, PM Modi will head to Sikkim to inaugurate the first airport in the state at Pakyong.
Over 8,735 hospitals, both public and private, have been empanelled for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and as many as 31 states and union territories have signed MoUs with the centre and will implement the programme.
"Today is a historic day for India! We are launching the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), which is a big step towards providing good quality and accessible healthcare to the poor of India. Over 10 crore families will benefit from this scheme," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted
The Ayushman Bharat programme will be funded with 60 per cent contribution coming from the Centre and remaining from the states. States like Telangana, Odisha, Delhi, Kerala and Punjab have not signed the launch with the Centre.
There is no cap on family size and age in the scheme, ensuring that nobody is left out.
The scheme will target poor and deprived rural families and identified occupational category of urban workers' families. Eligible people can avail the benefits in government and listed private hospitals. The beneficiaries are identified based on four "deprivation categories"
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Saturday said that it was the state's good fortune that the Ayushman Bharat scheme was being launched from there. "I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this. In the state, 57 lakh families will be covered under this scheme. All arrangements have been made," he said
"Indian healthcare is poised for a great leap forward with Ayushman Bharat - which will insure over 50 crore [500 million] citizens," tweeted Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, referring to the program by its official name, meaning "Long Life India."