Ranchi — The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is transforming lives in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, with beneficiaries praising the scheme for providing free and cashless medical treatment.
Under the scheme, eligible families receive health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. In Palamu, thousands have already benefitted, gaining access to timely and quality healthcare without the burden of high medical expenses.
Residents say the initiative has removed one of their biggest concerns — the cost of treatment — while also reducing financial stress for families. Many who once struggled to afford care are now receiving treatment with dignity, even at private hospitals.
Sharing his experience, Shakir Alam said his newborn child required urgent treatment after developing an infection soon after birth. He noted that the expenses would have been overwhelming without the scheme, but under Ayushman Bharat, a major portion of the cost was covered, sparing him from out-of-pocket spending.
Another beneficiary, Dhananjay Vishwakarma, whose son is currently undergoing treatment, said access to funds was once the biggest hurdle for families like his. He credited the initiative of the Government of India for bringing much-needed relief to the poor.
Ravi Kumar, another resident, said the scheme has significantly improved access to healthcare, ensuring that patients who earlier went untreated are now receiving proper medical attention on time.
Hospital administrator Manish Tiwari explained that the process to avail benefits is simple. Patients only need basic documents such as an Aadhaar card, ration card, or Ayushman card. Once verified on the portal, treatment begins without any cost.
He added that the scheme covers a wide range of services, including general surgeries, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, emergency treatment, and care for critical illnesses.
With the financial burden eased, families that once had to take loans or sell assets for treatment are now able to access quality healthcare without compromise.
With inputs from IANS