In the remote hills of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, the government’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is changing lives by giving free health insurance to over 72% of the local population. This flagship healthcare scheme is a real game-changer for folks in hard-to-reach areas who struggle with medical costs.
Official figures show that 2,29,384 people in Chamoli have signed up for PM-JAY. Out of these, more than 51,000 have already gotten free treatment at government hospitals and approved private ones. It’s making a huge difference in places where getting to a doctor can be tough.
Take Pawan Kumar, for instance. He’s been staying at the District Hospital in Gopeshwar for a week, and thanks to his Ayushman card, everything from medicines to care came at zero cost. “This scheme is a blessing for poor people like me,” he told us, full of thanks to the Central government.
Then there’s Surendra Singh Kandari, whose wife Urmila Devi just had successful gallstone surgery. “She suffered for so long, and doctors said she needed it right away. Our Ayushman card covered it all for free—we can’t thank the government enough,” he shared.
Shobhit Singh brought his sick grandmother to the hospital too, and all the tests happened without a bill. “It was such a relief for our family. We’re truly grateful,” he added.
Launched in 2018 as part of India’s National Health Policy 2017, Ayushman Bharat aims for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It’s the world’s biggest health insurance program, providing up to Rs 5 lakh per family every year for hospital stays. Now, it even includes senior citizens aged 70 and above, widening its net even more.
The scheme has two main parts: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) for basic check-ups and preventive care, and PM-JAY for serious treatments. It covers everything from primary care to advanced hospital services, helping India meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the promise to leave no one behind.
In underserved spots like Chamoli, Ayushman Bharat isn’t just insurance—it’s a step toward fairer healthcare. It shields families from huge medical bills and boosts access across the country, proving that good health shouldn’t depend on where you live or how much you earn. As more people join, this initiative keeps building a healthier, more equal India.
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