New Delhi, Sep 23 (NationPress) As Ayushman Bharat celebrates seven successful years since its inception, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India is undergoing a transformation in public healthcare. He pointed out that this initiative was designed with foresight, aiming to deliver high-quality and affordable healthcare to its citizens.

In a post on his social media platform X, PM Modi stated, "Today we celebrate #7YearsOfAyushmanBharat! This initiative foresaw the future's requirements and concentrated on providing top-notch as well as affordable healthcare to the populace. Thanks to this, India is experiencing a public healthcare revolution. It guarantees financial security and dignity. India has demonstrated how scale, compassion, and technology can enhance human empowerment."

He also shared a series of posts from 'MyGovIndia' that underscored the positive outcomes of the program.

"Genuine leadership in governance is about anticipating the future's needs. While we celebrate 7 years of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), India commemorates a healthcare revolution that has transformed service delivery, ensuring financial security, universal access, and dignity in care for over 55 crore citizens. This program is crafting a model for how visionary policies can reshape public health," the post continued.

As the world's largest health assurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat has dismantled barriers to make universal health coverage achievable. To date, more than 55 crore citizens have benefited.

Cashless treatment is available at the point of care, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses. Over 42 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, enabling families to access healthcare services.

"A promise that safeguards future generations: Government health spending rose from 29% to 48%, out-of-pocket costs decreased from 63% to 39%, millions of families were shielded from financial disaster due to illness, and universal health coverage now includes citizens aged over 70 years," the post noted.

More than 81 lakh Vay Vandana Cards have been issued, with 45% allocated to women. Treatments worth Rs 496 crore have already been utilized.

"Imagine a system where diseases are prevented before they manifest: 55 crore screenings for hypertension and 48 crore screenings for diabetes at Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs," stated the MyGovIndia post.

Dialysis and major surgeries are now financially manageable for low-income families, according to the government, which added that families have saved Rs 10,000–15,000 per dialysis session, with a 90% increase in access to cancer treatment.

The scheme, which prioritizes diagnostics and wellness, has made free tests available at Sub Centres and PHCs (Primary Health Centres), conducted over 5.7 crore yoga and meditation sessions, and established nearly 1.8 lakh Aarogya Mandirs, bringing healthcare closer to home.

"Ayushman Bharat connects over 4 lakh healthcare facilities, nearly 7 lakh professionals, and over 72 crore health records. So far, more than 81 crore ABHA IDs and 41 crore teleconsultations have been registered, ensuring care is available anytime, anywhere," the MyGovIndia post elaborated.

PM-JAY offers high-cost care and stability for vulnerable families, ensuring that every year, six crore Indians are shielded from poverty.

The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the effects of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in minimizing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) by increasing social security and primary healthcare funding, resulting in savings exceeding Rs 1.25 lakh crore.

The report also indicates that government-supported insurance schemes like AB PM-JAY, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), and state-specific initiatives contribute 2.63% to healthcare financing. The increase in government health spending has significantly alleviated financial strain on households.

From Fiscal Year 2015 to Fiscal Year 2022, Government Health Expenditure (GHE) surged from 29.0% to 48.0%, while OOPE decreased from 62.6% to 39.4%.

As of March 24, over 36.9 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued under the scheme.