PM Modi launches AB-PMJAY SEHAT scheme in J&K

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launches the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

“This is a historic day for J&K. Every people of J&K will get benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme. I wanted to launch this scheme yesterday on the occasion of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth anniversary. Atalji had a special connection with J&K, which is now prospering on his way of ‘Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat and Kashmiriyat,’” PM Modi said.

“When people for whom we are working for praise me, those words become blessings for me,” PM Modi said after interacting with two beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The AB-PMJAY SEHAT scheme was initially launched by the government on September 23, 2018, to provide free access to healthcare for 40 per cent of residents in India.

The scheme uses the eligibility criteria determined from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 and has no restriction on family size, age or gender.

Under the AB-PMJAY SEHAT scheme, the central government will financially cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family on a floater basis to all residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

Features of AB-PMJAY SEHAT scheme:

* Scheme will ensure universal health coverage and focus on providing financial risk protection and ensuring quality and affordable essential health services.

* AB-PMJAY SEHAT scheme has also a provision for operational extension to approximately Rs 15 lakh additional families.

*  Union Territory will receive free cashless health cover up to Rs 5 lakhs.

* It will provide benefits to 2.1 million eligible people.

* This scheme is to improve the quality of life of the weaker sections of society who are held back drastically due to health issues that can easily be tackled with timely care and finances.

* There is no cap on the family size and age.

* Scheme holds women, children, especially the girl child, and those over 60 in special regard.

* Unlike most other insurance covers, the PMJAY secures those who have pre-existing illnesses, and makes treatment in all public hospitals mandatory.