Ayushman Bharat Yojana: a memorable health initiative for Indians

Abstract

India is one of the developing countries in the world having 1.3 billion populations, of which 70% and 30% population lives in rural and urban area respectively. Currently, India in a state of epidemiological health transition i.e. India is facing dual health problem of communicable diseases as well as non communicable diseases which remain a threat to health and economic security. This health transition is due to change in demography of population, global warming (globalisation and urbanisation), changes social and economic determinants of health. In India, many people are dying because of lack of access and poor quality of medical treatment. In this developing country, day by day the expenses on healthcare are increasing especially in people living in rural areas and in smaller urban towns and the annual health-related expenditures ranged from a few hundred rupees to a maximum of 10 lakh rupees. Also, in these areas the individual are travelling long distances to access and avail the comprehensive health care services. 1

Coverage, utilization, and impact of Ayushman Bharat scheme among the rural field practice area of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai

“…In India due to high out of pocket expenditure annually, about 3.2% Indians fall below the poverty line and also three-fourth Indians spend their entire income on health care and purchasing drugs. [ 4 ] The main aim of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is to make the individual or community to access the health care they require without any financial hardship. So in order to achieve UHC, Ayushman Bharat scheme has been launched by the government of India.…”

“…[ 3 ] According to Indian Consumer Economy 360 survey, the average medical expenditure in India is about '9,373. [ 4 ] High out of pocket expenditure makes health care services inaccessible to significant proportion of Indian households. The financial constraints is the limiting factor among the population who did not avail medical care.…”

“…The health profile report released by WHO in 2014 states that in India because of high out of pocket expenditure annually about 3.2% Indians fall below the poverty line and also three-fourth Indians spending their entire income on health care and purchasing drugs. [ 4 ]…”

Application of digital technologies in health insurance for social good of bottom of pyramid customers in India

“…The expansion in rural areas for health insurers needs to be supported by a quality hospital network. The primary health system which is the first line of service delivery for the BoP population has received extensive funding under the Universal Health Scheme for having skilled manpower, implement technology solutions and procure modern equipment to provide quality services (Dhaka et al, 2018). The insurance regulator responded cautiously to the rapid expansion of healthcare facilities with the following remark: "It is good to have a wide network of hospitals to cater to the needs of the poorer section of society but at the same time the quality of the services needs to be monitored as there is no specific regulation for the healthcare sector".…”

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana – Ayushman Bharat

“…A visit was also arranged to AIIMS, New Delhi to make hospital staffs to expose themselves in operation of Arogya Mitra Sahayata Kendra(9). Ayushman Bharat scheme has lead to timely treatments, improvements in health outcomes, patient satisfaction, improvement in productivity and efficiency, job creation thus, leading to an improvement in the quality of life (10).…”