The centre has signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with 29 states and union territories and started working on implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna. Pilot projects have already started in 16 states and union territories while other states and UTs are expected to start pilots before fully launching the scheme on 25 September.
Stating this at a press conference on `Ayushman Bharat - PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojna’ (AB-PMJAY) in New Delhi today, union minister for health and family welfare J P Nadda said the scheme architecture and formulation has undergone a truly federal process, with stakeholder inputs taken from all states and UTs through the national conclaves, sectoral working groups, intensive field exercises and piloting of key modules.
The minister said no enrolment is required for beneficiaries and there is no payment for obtaining services at empaneled hospitals.
Nadda also warned of strict action against those running fake websites on Ayushman Bharat. “Criminal cases will be charged against fraudulent websites and agents trying to collect money from beneficiaries,” he added.
ArogyaMitras training is being conducted in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the ministry of skill development to strengthen implementation and operational preparedness. “Training has already been initiated in 15 states/UTs,” Nadda said.
The union health minister said the objectives of the AB-PMJAY is to reduce out of pocket hospitalisation expenses, fulfil unmet needs and improve access of identified families to quality inpatient care and day care surgeries.
“The services will include more than 1,300 procedures covering pre and post hospitalization, diagnostics, medicines etc, and the beneficiaries will be able to move across borders and access services across the country through the provider network seamlessly,” Nadda stated.
Nadda said the government has given total flexibility to states to choose their own modes of implementation among insurance, trust or mixed mode and that the cenre is ready to provide the required support also.
He further said that NHA Information Security and Data Privacy are being institutionalized to provide adequate guidance and set of controls on the secure handling of beneficiaries’ personal data and sensitive personal data in compliance with all laws and regulations applicable. “The information security is based on international best practices and India specific regulations and more than 94 controls set at various levels for secure handling of sensitive personal data. Strong measures have been taken to ensure security and privacy of data obtained, stored and used based on international best practices and India specific regulations,” Nadda said.