Affordable accessible Healthcare for all .Is that even possible? Affordable has a different definition depending on what one earns and accessible is even more tricky .I am an Indian doctor ,an ENT surgeon who grew up in Kolkata,studied in Kolkata and Delhi and finally working in a small town and also rural setup in Malda.I have seen healthcare set up in small and big Government hospitals and private ones in all the places I have lived and worked in .I always wondered how India would manage to grow a healthy population ,when there were so many mouths to feed and treat.
When Ayushman Bharat was launched I wrote about it on the blog.It showed the way for a healthy nation. It’s easily the most ambitious, people friendly, universal healthcare scheme .Ayushman Bharat is named right, wishing the people of Bharat a long healthy life. Its showed us promise of a bright Bharat in 2018 and it has helped countless people since then.
The scheme is implemented in 33 States/UTs except the NCT of Delhi, West Bengal, and Odisha.Before 2018 India had never seen such an extensive scheme covering in-patient healthcare for Indians.
What does the Data say about Ayushman Bharat?
- As of June 30, 2024, over 34.7 crore Ayushman cards created and 7.37 crore hospital admissions authorized, representing claims worth ₹1 lakh crore.
- AB-PMJAY provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.Its estimated to reach approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.34 crore families.
- Under this scheme 1949 procedures across 27 medical specialties are covered.
- Over 34 crore Ayushman cards, ~7.4 crore admissions, ₹1 lakh crore claims by mid‑2024.(source)
In a country like India fighting overpopulation ,poverty,malnutrition and health issues can break the proverbial camel’s back. We can’t one day all become healthy, wealthy and wise. In a country like ours everything needs to be started with a minimal viable program .That’s where Ayushman Bharat shines. There are problems .But even the richest countries in this world have their own share of that.
The Indian Government rightly identified health being the most important qualifier for a game changing economy. A healthy nation means a healthy workforce .That translates to an eventually wealthy nation.A nation that leads but also helps those left behind.
Focus on Tuberculosis
Rich or poor, heathcare costs are the same for all.Diseases don’t come checking your bank balance and that’s the reason preventive healthcare is crucial.
But even when treatment is concerned Bharat has truly changed .Badalta Bharat now has ambitious goals of getting rid of Tuberculosis by 2025 .The Nikshay Poshan Yojana takes it one step further by providing nutitional support (direct to benficiary) for all notified Tuberculosis patient ,notified on or after 2018.The Government also launched the Nikshay Mitra scheme by which individuals and organizations can support the Government scheme through donations .That I think is an unique approach to helping those in need.
Mother and Child Care Poshan Abhiyan
There are also several schemes aimed at mother and child care, for better nutrition of pregnant mothers, improving childhood nutrition and preventing childhood diseases.Universal Immunization program is an important example.
POSHAN Abhiyan is another one, where the focus was firmly turned on to early childhood nutrition being the best way forward, for building a healthy nation .If childhood nutrition is right ,then the citizens of the future will suffer much less, leading to a healthy workforce and a wealthy nation.It starts with the girl child who will one day become the mother.Beti Bachao Beti Padhao promotes prevention of female foeticide, and education of the girl child.
Digital footprint
One of the best part about all this is India going digital.With the Aarogya setu app and Cowin app helping people finding the dates and places where they could get vaccinated, India had arrived.
E-sanjeevani telemedicine is another wonderful initiative where top specialists can help even those in rural areas. As of 2025 more than sixteen crore consultation has been done. That kind of outpatient care costs money .But more importantly intent of the Government to truly walk the talk. Expansion of Jan Aushudi stores makes affordable quality medicine possible.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) now has made Unique Health IDs for doctors and patients ensuring health records are digitized and accessible. That didn’t happen overnight .Health tech needs public-private partnership and that’s where incentives for adoption for Government schemes makes things easier and this Government knows that very well.
Going digital will take Bharat a long way in delivering affordable,accesible healthcare .
COVID and India
Last but not the least was how this Governent handled the COVID Pandemic.COVID was game changing .The Indian Government didn’t leave anyone behind.The lockdown ,social distancing ,rules positive messaging ,promoting safe healthcare practices and developing an indigenous vaccine -we saw everything.
With #MadeInIndia vaccine covering everyone and sharing with those less fortunate, we knew Badalta Bharat was real. COVID pandemic showed how India is capable of delivering healthcare and free vaccine to all its citizens. I was lucky to be one of the first to get the first dose of COVISHIELD.That my friends is my favorite moment from the last 10 years.
But my Bharat is not stopping just with preventive, primary or secondary healthcare. With investment in clean renewable energy ,ek per maa ke naam ,health education India is waking up to primordial prevention,as its main aim, to give its citizens the best chance life can give.
Swachh Bharat and Swasth Bharat is not just a goal it’s a journey.It’s a jouney where all the Indians,need to travel together.No one should be left behind and for that we also need to focus on personal and individual responsibilty for own health.
The way forward:
Preventing addictions and helping in de-addiction.
Improving vaccine coverage even more.
Incentivizing staying healthy with tax breaks.
Health points for taking care of own and family health .
Preventing and punishing violence against healthcare workers with exemplary punishments .
Focusing on quality health education and quality of life for healthcare professionals might be the game changer in the next ten years. Because the doctor must be healthy to help heal those who need it.
Writing this for Badalta Bharat Mera Anubhav blog writing contest because I thought Badalta Bharat needs a shout out.
