Punjab Health Minister Urges Release of INR 621 Cr Ayushman Funds after Aam Aadmi Clinics Gain International Recognition

Punjab boasts 664 Aam Aadmi Clinics, strategically distributed across urban and rural areas, providing essential healthcare services. The Minister underscored the importance of the Aam Aadmi Clinics, which have become a vital component of the state's healthcare infrastructure.

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh has renewed his appeal to the Central Government to release Ayushman funds totalling INR 621 Cr. The disbursement of grants under the Ayushman scheme to the state was halted in December 2022.

The Minister made this request after the Aam Aadmi Clinics received international acclaim, earning the top prize at the Global Health Supply Chain Summit held in Nairobi from November 14-16.

The recognition has sparked interest from delegates representing 40 countries, expressing a keen desire to visit Punjab and understand the functioning of Aam Aadmi Clinics, which offer essential drugs and diagnostics at no cost to patients.

The awarded submission from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, titled "Strengthening the last mile delivery of drugs: A case study from Punjab," has garnered significant attention, with international delegates seeking to replicate the healthcare model in their respective countries.

Minister Balbir Singh said, "If delegates from 40 countries want to come here to see our healthcare model to replicate in their countries, the Centre should also support us and should release the funds for the welfare of the people."

A substantial portion of the funds, INR 550 Cr, is allocated for upgrading approximately 40 secondary-care health facilities, including district and sub-divisional hospitals, as well as community health centres (CHCs).

Currently, Punjab boasts 664 Aam Aadmi Clinics, strategically distributed across urban and rural areas, providing essential healthcare services. The Minister underscored the importance of the Aam Aadmi Clinics, which have become a vital component of the state's healthcare infrastructure.

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, initiated the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) to issue Ayushman Bharat Cards, allowing beneficiaries to claim free treatment at empanelled hospitals.

PMJAY, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is designed to empower economically disadvantaged families by providing Ayushman Health Cards, enabling them to access free medical treatment in hospitals up to INR 5 Lakh per person. The scheme has witnessed widespread participation, offering invaluable benefits to millions of Indians seeking healthcare assistance.

As Punjab's healthcare model gains global recognition, Minister Balbir Singh's plea for the release of Ayushman funds aligns with the aim of further advancing healthcare accessibility and quality for the benefit of the population.

Last month, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, set a remarkable record by issuing 6.63 Lakh new Ayushman cards in a single day. This achievement surpassed the state's previous record of 6.42 Lakh new cards, which was set on October 1st.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh holds the second position in the country in issuing Ayushman cards to beneficiaries, with Madhya Pradesh leading the way with 3.69 Cr beneficiaries. Chhattisgarh holds the third position nationally, with a total of 2.03 Cr beneficiaries receiving Ayushman cards. At the national level, the scheme has issued approximately 25 Cr Ayushman cards over the past five years.