MORE than Rs 1.1 lakh crore has been spent in providing free hospitalisation under the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri JanArogyaYojana(PMJAY)sinceitsinceptionin2018, according to the Government data. Theofficialdatashowedthat more than 79 million individuals have benefited from the PM-JAY scheme that provides an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh. It has significantly enhanced healthcare accessibility for India’s most vulnerable populations.

 

“The scheme was made available for 107 million poor household sinthe country from September 2018, covering the bottom of 40 per cent population,” as per the data. Launched in September 2018, AB PM-JAY has seamlessly integrated comprehensive care across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels to provide universal health coverage, particularly forrura land vulnerable populations.

 

The landmark health initiative addresses immediate health needs and also emphasises preventive care and health promotion,makinghealthcare moreaccessibleandequitable. PM-JAY has been key in reducingout-of-pockethealthcare expenditures of households. Before the launch of the scheme, about 62 per cent of healthcare costs were paid directly by individuals --a burden that drovemany into financial hardship. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are the states with the highestnumber of beneficiaries, thedata showed. PMJAY provides cashless treatment to nearly 2,000 procedures.