Bengal to roll out Ayushman Bharat scheme from Aug 16: WB Health minister

Stating that the day will be observed as 'Ayushman Diwas', Mukherjee said the launch would mark a "new chapter" for the state, alleging that people had been deprived of several central welfare schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, over the past 15 years. The minister was.

Mukherjee said the launch of the scheme would bring the people of Bengal under the same health-security framework as the rest of the country. No money will be charged for issuing Ayushman Bharat cards, he added.

What Happened

Seeking to allay concerns over the existing Swasthya Sathi scheme launched by the earlier TMC government, the health minister said it would not be discontinued immediately. For the next two to three months, Swasthya Sathi, Ayushman Bharat and the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima.

• West Bengal will implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme from August 16, with around 1.5 crore families, comprising nearly six crore people, expected to be covered, West Bengal health minister Sharadwat Mukherjee said.

• He further clarified that those who do not meet the Centre's eligibility criteria for Ayushman Bharat would be covered by a state government's 'Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana', which would also be launched on the same.

• The minister said a total of 1,930 hospitals in the state 1,303 private and 627 government facilities have been brought under the scheme.

Key Details

To prevent unreasonable billing, excessive package charges and other irregularities at private hospitals, a nodal team from the state Health Department would hold review meetings every fortnight. Addressing past concerns of hospitals turning away patients even when they carried Swasthya Sathi cards.

• The Centre has allocated around ₹1,000 crore for implementation of Ayushman Bharat in the state, accounting for 60 per cent of the funding, while the remaining 40 per cent will be borne by.

• The government also said around 3.4 crore people in the state are already covered under 'Ayushman Bharat' and would be able to avail themselves of services from August 16.

• He further said that residents of West Bengal would be able to avail themselves of the scheme not only at hospitals within the state but also at more than 40,000 empanelled hospitals across the.

Why It Matters

Those without an Ayushman Bharat card can have their names enrolled at the hospital itself, officials said. Among the major benefits of Ayushman Bharat is that there will be no upper limit on the number of family members covered, meaning every member.

• By showing their ABHA ID, doctors will be able to access the patient's complete digital medical record, making the treatment process faster and easier, he said.

• Talking of the benefits of the scheme, Mukherjee said those having an ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID will no longer need to repeatedly submit their medical history as they did previously.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Business Standard as more details emerge