Ayushman Bharat best work implemented by PM: Shah in Surat

“Looking at the scale of this hospital, I asked the owners about treatment of the poor. They replied that they would accept PMJAY cards…,” said Shah while speaking to a packed auditorium at the inauguration of BR Shah Mahavir Cancer Hospital and FJ Vakharia Mahavir Sanatorium in Surat.

“There was no greater grief and feeling of helplessness for crores of poor people who, unable to bear hospital bills, looked at their loved ones dying slowly, day after day, to a disease. Narendrabhai has made treatment worth Rs 5 lakh free-of-cost and through this, given 12 crore families (60 crore people) freedom from this problem. Additionally, it is free-of-cost up to Rs 10 lakh for everyone above 75 years of age,” said Shah while speaking about the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

He further said, “There are now 71 crore ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) cards. Under Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, about Rs 64 crore has been spent. Under the Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, 10,000 shops are present now. They are selling all essential medication at 20% to 50% the cost. Poor people have received Rs 25,000 crore in benefits due to cheaper medication.”

On medical colleges, the Union minister said, “(The number of) medical colleges has been increased. In the previous 75 years, there were 387 medical colleges. In the last 10 years, this has increased to 766. Earlier, 51,000 doctors used to graduate each year. Now, the number is 1.15 lakh medical graduates per year.”

PM Modi has a holistic view of healthcare, said Shah, adding, “He has also made plans to make sure people don’t fall sick. Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, Fit Indian Mission, Poshan Mission, Mission Indradhanush, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayush (Ayurveda), Khelo India, and Yoga (are some examples)…”

He further said, “India’s health budget was Rs 37,000 crore in 2013-14 while Modiji’s latest health budget was Rs 98,000 crore, which is a threefold increase in 10 years.”