NEW DELHI: The Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the necessity for the West Bengal government to effectively implement the AB-PMJAY medical insurance scheme at the grassroots level. He expressed the commitment of the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to ensure quality healthcare services for all residents of West Bengal. Mandaviya urged the state government to execute the Ayushman Bharat program on the ground, with the aim of benefiting the people of the region. He underlined that the Central government is diligently taking measures to uphold the highest standards of healthcare within the state.

In the course of his assessment, the minister evaluated several initiatives aimed at delivering healthcare services across the state, including the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Launched on September 23, 2018, this initiative offers an annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh to eligible families. Notably, 30 out of the 33 states have embraced the co-branding strategy, excluding Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal.

West Bengal had previously exited the scheme in 2019, alleging that the central government was unjustly claiming credit for its success. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated a willingness to rejoin if the Centre committed to full funding of the scheme.

During his visit, Minister Mandaviya assessed various healthcare programs, including the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, the National TB Elimination Program, disbursement status of the National Health Mission (NHM) funds, the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Telemedicine services, Medical Education, and the Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Program.

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