New Delhi: One of the first decisions anticipated as BJP President J.P. Nadda takes charge of the Union health ministry is the expansion of the Centre’s flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), to nearly 4.5 crore people aged over 70 years.
Expanding the scheme that provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation is part of the 100-day agenda prepared by the health ministry.
Sources in the ministry told ThePrint that the scheme currently covers roughly 1.5 crore people aged over 70 years based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas, respectively.
The ministry has estimated that there are a total of roughly 6 crore Indians over the age of 70 years.
“This means that 4.5 crore additional people in the 70-plus age group will now get entitled to the benefits under the scheme as it gets expanded with the approval of the new minister,” a senior official said.
The inclusion of all senior citizens over 70 years of age and the transgender community in the AB-PMJAY was part of the BJP manifesto released ahead of the general elections. The health ministry later included it in the 100-day plan.
Some other initiatives in the ministry’s 100-day plan include the launch of a one-stop portal for hospitals to process claims among over 50 health insurance providers and the nationwide launch of the government’s vaccine management platform, eVIN.
The eVIN platform, developed on the line of CoWIN, the linchpin of the health ministry’s mega COVID-19 vaccination drive, will be integrated with the Universal ImmuniSation Programme (UIP) to enrol kids at birth, record all their vaccinations, and provide them with a vaccine certificate online.
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Nadda’s second stint in the ministry
Nadda held the health portfolio from November 2014 to 2019 during the first tenure of the Narendra Modi-led government.
This time, he has the added responsibility of spearheading the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilisers, which includes the pharmaceuticals department.
“Honoured to take charge as Minister of Health and family Welfare under the esteemed guidance of Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi ji. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare plays a crucial role in the nation’s progress and the well-being of its people (sic),” the BJP President posted on X after taking charge of the ministry Tuesday.
“As the backbone of the country, the health sector not only promotes public health but also stands as a strong force in addressing and overcoming health challenges,” he wrote in the post.
“Presently, India’s healthcare system is recognised globally for its excellence, boasting affordable and advanced infrastructure. This transformation has positioned India as a prominent destination for medical tourism worldwide,” he added.
In Nadda’s second stint in the health ministry, two ministers of state — Shiv Sena MP Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav and Apna Dal (S) MP Anupriya Patel — are joining him.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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Dr C N Manjunath should have been made the health minister.