Dehradun: The Ayushman scheme is proving to be a boon for the poor and needy. Through this initiative, people are receiving even expensive treatments for free. Patients suffering from serious illnesses are especially benefiting from easy access to care. So far, more than 1.5 million people in Uttarakhand have availed themselves of this service.
On December 25, 2018, the state government implemented the Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana, modeled after the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Under this scheme, each family receives free health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. In Uttarakhand, 100 government and 199 private hospitals are empaneled under the Atal Ayushman scheme. More than 30,000 hospitals across the country are part of this initiative. So far, around 6 million Ayushman cards have been issued. Over 1.5 million patients have been admitted to various hospitals for treatment. More than Rs 2,800 crore has been spent on the treatment of needy patients under this scheme.
Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat stated that any family with elderly members aged 70 or above will not only receive the standard Rs 5 lakh treatment coverage under the Ayushman scheme, but the elderly individuals will also get an additional Rs 5 lakh of free treatment coverage. He said that physical ailments are more prevalent in old age, and this special arrangement for the elderly under the scheme is a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s welfare-focused vision.
“This scheme is proving to be a true blessing for poor and needy people. It has saved countless families from the heavy financial burden of medical treatment. It is also making it much easier for patients with serious illnesses to get treated. When someone suffers from a severe illness, it not only affects the family’s finances but also breaks their morale. The Ayushman scheme has worked to free the poor from this burden.” added Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Health Minister of Uttarakhand.
