KOLKATA: West Bengal has become the 36th State and Union Territory in the country to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking the completion of the nationwide rollout of the Centre’s flagship health assurance programme. The National Health Authority (NHA), under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, for the implementation of the scheme in the state.
The agreement was formalised during a ceremony attended by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal and senior officials from both governments.
With West Bengal joining the programme, nearly 1.43 crore families in the state are expected to receive health assurance benefits under AB PM-JAY. The beneficiary base includes around 1.24 crore eligible families, more than three lakh families of ASHAs, Anganwadi workers and helpers, and nearly 16 lakh families of senior citizens aged 70 years and above.
Speaking at the event, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda described the development as a significant milestone in India’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage. He said Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, launched in September 2018 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has grown into the world’s largest government-funded health assurance programme.
Highlighting the impact of the initiative, Nadda stated that beneficiaries across the country have availed more than 12 crore treatments worth over ₹1.82 lakh crore. He added that government efforts have helped reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure from 64.6 per cent before 2018 to 43.4 per cent at present, easing the financial burden on families.
The Union Minister noted that the scheme’s cashless, paperless and fully digital framework has improved access to healthcare services. Referring to research findings, he said a large majority of eligible cancer patients covered under the programme were able to begin treatment within a month, reflecting improved healthcare access.
Nadda also emphasized that the portability feature of PM-JAY would be particularly beneficial for migrant workers from West Bengal. Beneficiaries will be able to access treatment at empanelled hospitals across the country regardless of their place of residence or employment.
The Health Minister further praised the West Bengal government’s recently launched HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls. According to official figures, more than 33,000 girls have already been vaccinated under the initiative, which aims to prevent cervical cancer among the targeted population.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the implementation of AB PM-JAY and said the scheme would significantly strengthen healthcare access in the state. He noted that approximately 1.24 crore eligible families would benefit directly, while the inclusion of frontline health workers and senior citizens would raise the total beneficiary base to nearly 1.43 crore families.
The Chief Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts in preventive healthcare, including the state’s HPV vaccination drive and awareness campaigns under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. He said the combined impact of PM-JAY and affordable medicine initiatives through Jan Aushadhi Kendras would improve healthcare outcomes for economically vulnerable sections of society.
Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel described the MoU signing as a historic step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage. She said the scheme currently covers more than 62 crore people across India, including vulnerable families, senior citizens and gig workers. According to her, over 44 crore Ayushman Cards have already been generated and more than 12 crore hospital admissions have been authorised under the programme.
Patel stated that nearly six crore people in West Bengal would now gain access to free and cashless healthcare services under the scheme. She also noted that eastern and northeastern states have emerged as major beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat.
National Health Authority CEO Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal said the Centre is expected to contribute nearly ₹1,000 crore annually towards the implementation of the scheme in West Bengal. He added that extensive preparations have already been undertaken to ensure smooth implementation and seamless access to healthcare benefits.
West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal said beneficiaries would be able to access cashless treatment at over 36,000 empanelled hospitals across the country. Eligible families will receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually, while senior citizens aged 70 years and above will receive additional benefits as provided under the scheme.
The signing of the MoU marks a major step in strengthening healthcare delivery and financial protection for millions of families in West Bengal, while advancing the national goal of affordable and accessible healthcare for all.
