Daijiworld Media Network - Daman
Daman, Jun 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Ayushman Bharat programme has revolutionised healthcare access across the country, extending health insurance coverage to a majority of Indian families and significantly reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for the poor and middle class.
Addressing a public gathering in Daman after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 2,970 crore, the Prime Minister said healthcare remains one of the central government's top priorities.
He stressed that the government's development model focuses on improving the lives of economically weaker sections, tribal communities and the middle class.
Highlighting the impact of Ayushman Bharat, Modi said eligible beneficiaries are entitled to free medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh through the scheme.
“Today, even the poorest citizen has access to an Ayushman Card and the assurance of quality healthcare without the burden of major medical expenses,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that the health insurance initiative has been strengthened through complementary programmes such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Jan Aushadhi Kendras and various digital healthcare services.
According to Modi, these initiatives have collectively helped poor and middle-class families save nearly ?2.25 lakh crore in healthcare-related expenditure.
He also pointed to improvements in key public health indicators, stating that institutional deliveries now account for more than 90 per cent of births in the country, while child immunisation coverage has increased substantially over the past decade.
The Prime Minister said health insurance coverage has expanded dramatically since 2014, with Ayushman Bharat playing a key role in providing financial protection against medical emergencies.
Referring to healthcare development in the Union Territory, Modi said medical infrastructure in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu has witnessed major expansion in recent years. New facilities, including a medical college, postgraduate medical courses and NAMO hospitals in Silvassa and Daman, have strengthened healthcare services in the region.
He added that women have emerged among the biggest beneficiaries of the government's healthcare initiatives, particularly through improved maternal care services, institutional childbirths and expanded health coverage.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that continued investments in healthcare infrastructure and welfare schemes would further improve access to affordable and quality medical services across the country.