Ayushman Bharat Diwas: Date, Significance, and Scheme Details

Ayushman Bharat Diwas is a special day observed across India to highlight the country's flagship public health program. This yearly celebration focuses on making quality healthcare affordable and accessible to millions of low-income and vulnerable families.

The day acts as a reminder of the nation's goal to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that no one is left behind in getting essential medical services. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm to spread awareness about the benefits of the massive Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY).

Ayushman Bharat Diwas Overview

Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated to promote the goals and achievements of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, India's flagship national health protection scheme.

What is the Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY) is a major healthcare scheme started by the Government of India. It was launched in 2018 to address health holistically, covering prevention, promotion, and treatment at all levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

This initiative is the world's biggest government-funded health assurance program. It was designed based on the recommendations of the National Health Policy 2017.

The ABY has two main, interconnected parts:

Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)

This is the first pillar of the scheme, focusing on primary healthcare. These centres aim to provide comprehensive care near people's homes. They offer a wide range of services, including free essential medicines, diagnostic tests, and health education.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

This is the second and most well-known part of Ayushman Bharat. It is the world's largest health insurance scheme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched this component on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The main objective of PM-JAY is to give financial protection against expensive medical treatments.

When is Ayushman Bharat Diwas Celebrated?

Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated every year on April 30.

This date marks the day when the foundation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana was laid to bring major changes to the country's health system. The observance aims to promote health equity and social justice by reminding people that health is a basic right, not just a privilege.

Significance of Ayushman Bharat Diwas

The day holds high importance because it is dedicated to a scheme that changed healthcare access for the poor.

• Promotes Health Equity: It highlights India's commitment to offering good healthcare to all citizens, no matter their economic background.

• Raises Awareness: The observance works as a key event for mass campaigns. These campaigns inform people about the scheme's benefits, especially in rural areas where medical infrastructure is often limited.

• Evaluates Progress: It provides a platform for government bodies to review the scheme's performance and plan future improvements to meet the goals of Universal Health Coverage.

Benefits of the PM-JAY Scheme

PM-JAY provides crucial financial support for secondary and tertiary medical treatments to vulnerable families.

• Financial Coverage: Each eligible family receives a health cover of ₹5,00,000 per year. This money can be used by any or all family members (family floater basis).

• Targeted Beneficiaries: The scheme covers over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families, which equals about 50 crore people. Eligibility is determined by the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data for both rural and urban areas.

• Cashless Treatment: Beneficiaries get completely cashless and paperless treatment at any empanelled public or private hospital. They do not have to pay any amount to the hospital for covered procedures.

• No Restrictions: The plan has no limit on the family size or the age of its members.

• Coverage for Existing Diseases: Any illness or medical condition a person has before enrolling in the scheme is covered from the very first day.

• Extensive Coverage: The scheme covers more than 1,900 medical procedures. This includes up to 3 days of expenses before hospitalization and 15 days of expenses after discharge, such as medicines and diagnostics.

• Portability: A beneficiary can access the benefits of the scheme at any empanelled hospital across the entire country.