How are Chamoli residents benefiting from free healthcare under AB PM-JAY?

In Chamoli, Uttarakhand, as of July 29, thousands of families are benefiting from free and high-quality healthcare through the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), recognized as the world's largest health assurance program. Over 72 percent of Chamoli's population is now enrolled, signifying a substantial shift in healthcare access within this mountainous area.

This flagship initiative provides an annual health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family, granting secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations to economically disadvantaged communities. Currently, 2,29,384 residents have registered, and more than 51,000 beneficiaries have utilized free medical services across different hospitals.

One such beneficiary, Rajni Devi from Kunj Pothni village, is receiving treatment at the District Hospital in Gopeshwar. Her husband expressed immense appreciation, stating: "My wife has been undergoing treatment here for a month. Thanks to the Ayushman card, all costs have been covered. This scheme has been a true blessing for families like ours. I am sincerely grateful to the central government for initiating this program."

Shishupal Singh also shared his story: "We have benefited from this scheme for the past six months. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this thoughtful initiative."

Priyanka’s family, another beneficiary group, commended the program for covering both treatment and diagnostic tests.

"My daughter is hospitalized due to illness, but all treatment and medical tests have been free. This scheme has genuinely changed our lives," a family member remarked.

Mamta Negi, a relative of another beneficiary, added: "This is an extraordinary initiative. I am thrilled with the support we have received. Thank you, PM Modi, for considering the common citizens."

Launched on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana aims to move beyond fragmented healthcare approaches and focus on comprehensive, need-based delivery. It comprises two core components: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

This scheme offers financial protection to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families—approximately 50 crore individuals—constituting the bottom 40 percent of India's population. These households were identified using the deprivation and occupational criteria from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 for both rural and urban sectors.

On October 29, 2024, the government made another progressive move by extending coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status. These individuals are now eligible for free treatment benefits up to Rs 5 lakh per year through Ayushman Vay Vandana cards.

This extension ensures that the elderly population has equal access to quality healthcare throughout the nation. A notable aspect of the scheme is its portability, allowing beneficiaries to access treatment at any of the 31,466 empanelled hospitals—both public and private—across India, irrespective of their residential location.

Among these, 14,194 are private hospitals, providing care for a vast array of health conditions. To uphold high service standards, the National Health Authority (NHA) has implemented stringent Hospital Empanelment and Management (HEM) Guidelines for participating facilities.

Since the inception of the Vay Vandana extension, over 1.06 lakh claims have been processed, showcasing the scheme’s swift adoption and significant impact.