To meet the rising demand for accessible and affordable healthcare services, the Government of India launched the ‘Ayushman Bharat scheme in 2018. The initiative aims to improve the health infrastructure and boost the healthcare sector to establish India as a global healthcare hub. The two pillars of Ayushman Bharat are:
- Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs)- To offer extensive health services, the scheme includes setting up around 1,50,000 health and wellness centers in the country. As of April 2021, 75,532 centers have been built.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)- Through this health protection scheme, the vulnerable and poorest population of the country can get access to primary, secondary, and tertiary care services. This works by providing Rs. 5 Lakh worth of health insurance coverage to all eligible beneficiary families per year, which currently constitutes 40% of India’s population. One can avail of the scheme benefits at any government or impaneled private hospital.