New Delhi, June 7: West Bengal is set to become the 36th state or union territory in India to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This initiative is seen as a significant step towards achieving universal health coverage and providing affordable, quality healthcare services to all citizens.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed on Monday between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the West Bengal government‘s Health and Family Welfare Department. This agreement will officially link the state to this major health insurance scheme.
The MoU signing ceremony will be chaired by Union Health Minister JP Nadda. Several senior leaders and officials from both the central and state governments are expected to attend. Notable attendees may include West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Ministers Prataprao Jadhav and Anupriya Patel, Central Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, and West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal.
With West Bengal joining this scheme, eligible families in the state will receive health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year. This benefit will be available for hospitalization and treatment at secondary and tertiary level hospitals.
The government believes that this scheme will alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses on poor and vulnerable families, enabling them to access better healthcare services in government and listed private hospitals.
The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is one of the largest health insurance schemes in the country, aimed at providing financial security against the high costs associated with treating serious illnesses.
After West Bengal’s inclusion in the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will also enjoy portability, allowing them to access cashless treatment at listed hospitals across the country. Officials state that this will enhance both the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in the state, reinforcing the goal of providing affordable health facilities to all citizens.
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