In a landmark event towards achieving universal health coverage and ensuring seamless access to quality healthcare for every eligible citizen across the country, West Bengal on Monday became the 36th State/Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
Marking the culmination of nationwide adoption of the flagship health assurance scheme, the National Health Authority (NHA), under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.
Addressing the gathering, J.P. Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, described the occasion as a historic moment not only for West Bengal but also for the country’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage.
Nadda said West Bengal’s inclusion under AB PM-JAY to extend health assurance benefits to approximately 1.43 crore families.
Implementation of AB PM-JAY in West Bengal marks a major milestone in India’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage, he said.
Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister, West Bengal, said implementation of AB PM-JAY marks a significant step towards the vision of ‘Swasth Bengal, Swasth Bharat’
Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State, said AB PM-JAY is not merely a health scheme but a transformative initiative for healthcare security and financial protection.
