A total of 1 crore have benefitted from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.
In a series of tweets, Modi expressed his happiness over the large response that government healthcare has received.
“It would make every Indian proud that the number of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries has crossed 1 crore,” Modi tweeted.
“In less than two years, this initiative has had a positive impact on so many lives. I congratulate all the beneficiaries and their families. I also pray for their good health,” he added.
He also appreciated the doctors, nurses, healthcare workers and all others associated with Ayushman Bharat for their efforts in making it the largest healthcare programme in the world.
“This initiative has won the trust of several Indians, especially the poor and downtrodden,” he added.
He also said that portability is one of the biggest benefits of Ayushman Bharat.
“Beneficiaries can get top quality and affordable medical care not only where they registered but also in other parts of India. This helps those who work away from home or registered at a place where they don’t belong,” he added.
The prime minister said that he would interact with various Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries during his official tours.
“Sadly, that is not possible these days but I did have a great telephone interaction with Pooja Thapa from Meghalaya, the 1 croreth beneficiary,” he added
Modi also shared a sound clip of his telephonic conversation with Thapa
Thapa, who is a soldier’s wife, explains about the surgery she underwent in Shillong using the Ayushman Bharat facility.
She said that her husband is posted in Manipur and could not be with her due to the coronavirus lockdown and her two small children are being taken care of by the neighbours.
On being asked by the Prime Minister, Thapa said she did not have to pay for the surgery and the medicines.
She said without the scheme card, she would have found it difficult to go for the surgery without a loan.