Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas 2024, Why it is Celebrated?

Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas 2024

In India, Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas (Ayushman Bharat Day) is observed on April 30th. This day is celebrated to promote and uphold the principles of the Ayushmaan Bharat Yojana (Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme). The Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas initiative reflects the Indian government’s commitment to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The scheme was introduced by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the aim of ensuring access to healthcare facilities for a significant portion of the Indian population, particularly those living below the poverty line who cannot afford necessary medical services.

The Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas serves as a reminder of the government’s efforts to provide better health and treatment opportunities for the underprivileged sections of society. It highlights the importance of enabling equitable access to healthcare facilities for all citizens, regardless of their economic status. The article you mentioned offers comprehensive information about Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas 2024, including its history, theme, and significance. It provides a detailed explanation of the initiative’s objectives and its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas and the Fulfilment of the UNSDGs

Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas is a day dedicated to promoting the principles of the Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme. This initiative by the Indian government reflects its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations. One of the SDGs related to universal health coverage emphasizes the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented the Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme with the objective of ensuring access to healthcare facilities for a substantial portion of the Indian population. This scheme specifically targets individuals living below the poverty line who face financial barriers in accessing essential healthcare services. By providing healthcare coverage to the underprivileged sections of society, the government aims to improve the overall health and well-being of a significant segment of the population.

The observance of Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas highlights the government’s efforts to address the healthcare needs of the economically disadvantaged and aligns with the United Nations’ goal of universal health coverage, ensuring that no one is left behind in receiving adequate medical care.

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Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas 2024: History

Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas, centered on the Ayushmaan Bharat Yojna initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, aims to extend healthcare benefits to a significant portion of India’s population who lack access to essential medical facilities. On this day, government departments and authorities introduce various programs and initiatives to promote the economic and social development of the country. The event underscores the principles of the Ayushmaan Bharat Yojana, reflecting the government of India’s commitment to achieving objectives aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The primary objective of the UN’s universal health coverage agenda is to ensure that no one is left behind.

What is Ayushmaan Bharat Yojana?

As previously stated, the Ayushmaan Bharat Yojna serves as the focal point of Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas. A key aspect of this initiative is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2018. Today, PM-JAY stands as the world’s largest healthcare scheme, aiming to provide health coverage to the underprivileged, offering ₹5 lakh per year for each family.

The scheme aims to address the healthcare needs of over 10.74 crore vulnerable and low-income families, encompassing the bottom 40% of India’s population. The funding for this initiative comes entirely from the Central Government, while implementation costs are shared between the center and individual states. An essential feature of PM-JAY is its provision of cashless hospitalization, with coverage extending to pre-existing conditions from day one.

Ayushmaan Bharat Diwas 2024: Significance

During the last two years, India’s population was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Indian Health Minister, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, successfully operationalized 75,532 Ayushmaan Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). The majority of the funding for this scheme is provided by the Central Government of India.

One of the key features of the Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme is that it offers a cashless hospitalization facility to eligible beneficiaries. Additionally, the scheme covers pre-existing medical conditions from the very first day, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage.

In 2021, the ministry affirmed that even with the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the functional body remained on track to establish a total of 1.5 lakh (150,000) Health and Wellness Centres by the end of 2024. The implementation costs of this scheme are shared between the central government and individual state governments.

The Ayushmaan Bharat Scheme represents a significant effort by the Indian government to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to its citizens, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, while also ensuring the continuity of essential healthcare services during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.