Health & Lifestyle
Ayushman Bharat Set to Transform Healthcare Access in West Bengal
West Bengal is set to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), significantly expanding access to healthcare for eligible residents. The move marks a major milestone in the state’s healthcare landscape and strengthens the nationwide reach of India’s flagship health insurance programme.
In a major healthcare development, West Bengal is set to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), becoming the 36th State and Union Territory to adopt the flagship healthcare programme.
The National Health Authority and the Government of West Bengal are scheduled to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi in the presence of Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
The implementation marks a significant shift in the state’s healthcare policy. During the tenure of the All India Trinamool Congress government, the Ayushman Bharat scheme was not operational in West Bengal. The new decision is expected to extend the benefits of the national programme to millions of eligible residents.
Under AB-PMJAY, eligible families receive health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. The scheme aims to reduce the financial burden of medical treatment and improve access to quality healthcare services for economically vulnerable sections of society.
According to official figures, more than 36,000 government and private hospitals across the country have been empanelled under the programme. Additionally, over 44 crore Ayushman cards have been issued since the scheme’s launch, enabling beneficiaries to access cashless treatment at participating healthcare facilities.
The programme has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s healthcare reforms by helping reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and expanding healthcare accessibility through an extensive network of hospitals. Health experts believe West Bengal’s inclusion will further strengthen the scheme’s national footprint and improve healthcare outcomes for millions of people in the state.
The signing of the agreement is being viewed as a landmark step toward achieving universal and equitable healthcare access, reinforcing the government’s broader objective of ensuring affordable medical care for all citizens.
