Need to achieve 100% coverage under Ayushman Bharat scheme: Mandaviya

The government plans to begin a mega enrolment drive under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and has urged states and union territories to achieve 100 per cent coverage under the scheme.

In an address on the first day of the two-day Swasthya Chintan Shivir -- the 15th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare -- being held here, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday urged the states and the union territories to strive for universal coverage by roping in healthcare workers at the grassroots level.

Mandaviya also urged the states to carry out regular review and monitoring of the programme.

He said India cannot adopt health models of other countries because its diversity compels us to employ tailor-made solutions.

The deliberations at the conclave focused on the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and gaps in their coverage, owing to diverse local conditions and digital health literacy in the country.

Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY aims to achieve universal health coverage with access to free and affordable healthcare services to the people living in the remotest areas.

The scheme aims to provide free and cashless healthcare services up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families with the number of beneficiaries running up to more than 53 crore.

More than 4.34 crore hospital admissions worth more than Rs 51,749.40 crore have been authorised under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY so far, according to government data.