How is the Ayushman Bharat scheme saving lives of kidney patients in MP?

New Delhi, July 22 (NationPress) For Ritesh Soni, a kidney patient hailing from Manpur village in Umaria district, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has proven to be a vital support system. After enduring years of financial strain due to dialysis treatments, he is now receiving complimentary care at Shahdol District Hospital and is on the verge of undergoing a kidney transplant, all funded through the government initiative.

In a conversation with IANS, Ritesh shared, “I have battled a kidney disease for nearly four years, and for the past two years, I have been reliant on dialysis. Initially, I had to spend Rs 510 for each session. Eventually, I learned about the Ayushman Yojana from fellow patients. I applied and received my card, allowing me to save money.”

Before his enrollment in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Ritesh would travel over 60 kilometers to utilize private healthcare services, where dialysis costs could reach Rs 25,000 monthly. “This financial strain was unbearable,” he explained. “Thanks to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, I now receive regular dialysis at no cost.”

Medical professionals at Shahdol District Hospital have also recommended Ritesh for a kidney transplant, and under this scheme, he is eligible for up to Rs 5 lakh to assist with the procedure.

“This is a tremendous relief for my family. I am grateful to the government for implementing such a scheme and urge its continuation for the benefit of patients in need like myself.”

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), known in Madhya Pradesh as the Niramayam scheme, provides health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh annually for families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations. This initiative is proving to be a blessing for kidney patients in Shahdol and surrounding areas.

Numerous other patients receiving dialysis at Shahdol District Hospital have also gained from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, expressing their appreciation for the financial assistance and the accessibility to critical treatments.

Ritesh Soni's success story exemplifies the tangible effects of government welfare programs in rural India, offering not just economic relief but renewed hope for a healthier tomorrow.

The Ayushman Bharat initiative, a flagship program of the Government of India, was established as advised by the National Health Policy 2017 to realize the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This endeavor is tailored to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its core principle, which is to ensure that no one is left behind.