State Bureau, Patna. Now the scope of treatment of serious and complex diseases has become wider under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana. For the first time, treatment of serious diseases like liver failure and liver cancer has been included in the scheme.
Along with this, new specialist services like interventional radiology and palliative care have also been added, which will provide advanced medical facilities to patients suffering from serious diseases.
According to the information received from the State Health Protection Committee, the package rates of Ayushman Bharat Scheme have also been increased by 30 to 35 percent.
This amendment will enable payment as per the actual cost of treatment in private and government hospitals, which will increase participation of hospitals and provide better services to the beneficiaries. There was a demand for revision of package rates for a long time, which has now been completed.
Under the new services included in the scheme, it will be possible to treat complex diseases without major operations through interventional radiology. At the same time, with the addition of palliative care services, pain management, mental support and quality of life improving services will be provided to patients suffering from serious and incurable diseases. This step is being considered especially helpful for patients suffering from cancer and last stage diseases.
The coverage of Ayushman Bharat scheme is continuously increasing in Bihar. Till now, a total of 1.65 crore families have been linked under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana in the state, bringing 4.13 crore eligible beneficiaries under the ambit of Ayushman Card. This makes Bihar a leader among the big states of the country.
The objective of the scheme is to free the poor and deprived sections from the financial burden of treatment for serious diseases. This goal will be further strengthened with the inclusion of new diseases and services. The increase in rates in Health Benefit Package 2.1 in Package 2022 will improve the quality in hospitals and patients will be able to get timely treatment. Ayushman Bharat Yojana is functioning in Bihar as a comprehensive and effective health protection shield. - Shashank Shekhar Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, Health Protection Committee