New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) – The Central government’s flagship healthcare programme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), is emerging as a true lifeline for thousands in the remote hills of Uttarakhand. In Chamoli district alone, more than 72 per cent of the population is reaping the benefits of free health insurance.
Official figures show that out of 2,29,384 people registered in the district, over 51,000 have already received free treatment at government hospitals and empanelled private facilities.
For patients like Pawan Kumar, admitted to the District Hospital in Gopeshwar, the scheme has been nothing short of a blessing. “I’ve been here for a week, and all my treatment has been free because of the Ayushman card. This scheme is a blessing for poor people like me,” he said gratefully.
Surendra Singh Kandari, whose wife Urmila Devi recently underwent gallstone surgery, echoed the sentiment. “She had been in pain for a long time. Doctors advised immediate surgery, and with the Ayushman card, we didn’t spend a rupee. We’re thankful to the government for this initiative,” he said.
Shobhit Singh, who accompanied his grandmother for treatment, shared how the scheme lifted a financial burden: “All her diagnostic tests were free. It was a huge relief for our family.”
Launched under the National Health Policy 2017 to achieve Universal Health Coverage, Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest health assurance scheme, offering up to ₹5 lakh of free medical care annually to vulnerable families. Its coverage has now been expanded to include senior citizens as well.
Built on two pillars—Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and PM-JAY—the scheme aims to provide preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare while strengthening primary, secondary, and tertiary systems. It also aligns with India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the commitment to “Leave No One Behind.”
For communities in remote regions like Chamoli, the scheme represents far more than just financial support—it is a lifeline bridging the gap between healthcare access and affordability.
