The 6th anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and the 3rd anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) were celebrated at the Conference Hall, Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima on 30th September 2024. The event highlighted the on-going efforts in improving healthcare accessibility in the region.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Rhosietho Nguori, NCS, warmly welcomed attendees to the celebration and emphasized the government's on-going challenge in providing accessible healthcare. He noted that the introduction of PMJAY and its components, such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, aims to meet the United Nations’ sustainable development goals by ensuring no one is left behind in accessing healthcare services.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Kohima, Dr. Imchatoshi, gave an overview of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare. PMJAY is designed to cover over 10 Crore poor and vulnerable families across India, providing them access to free and cashless healthcare services in empaneled hospitals. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, on the other hand, aims to digitize healthcare systems, making medical records more accessible and integrating health services across the country.
In Kohima district, there are currently four empaneled public hospitals and five private hospitals under the scheme. Dr. Imchatoshi highlighted that Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) has the highest registration and transaction under PMJAY, with 2,558 patients treated and 1,601 beneficiaries registered. Additionally, under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), the hospital has registered 1,197 patients with 723 beneficiaries. However, Dr. Imchatoshi pointed out that many hospitals in the region need improvements in facilities, equipment, manpower, and infrastructure to meet the criteria for empanelment.
Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Kumar Ramnikant, IAS, congratulated the Health Department and all stakeholders for the success of Ayushman Bharat PMJAY so far. He emphasized the scheme’s significance, stating that "Ayushman Bharat," which translates to "blessed with a long life," is designed to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare. He noted that as health challenges continue to evolve, many citizens, especially the underprivileged, remain trapped in poverty due to high out-of-pocket medical expenses, with healthcare accounting for up to 75% of their expenditures.
Ramnikant further urged village and colony leaders to support the health department’s efforts in their areas to achieve 100% coverage and awareness of the scheme. He also encouraged the community to provide feedback to help make the healthcare system more accessible and efficient. He concluded his speech with optimism that the scheme will yield even greater results in the future.
The program featured a prayer by Letuolie Pienyü, Pastor of CRC Pezielietsie, and a special song by Keneisenuo Sorhie. The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where the Naga Hospital Authority was recognized as the best-performing hospital under PMJAY. Additionally, two beneficiaries were presented with their Ayushman Bharat scheme cards, symbolizing their access to healthcare coverage under the program.
The celebration marked a significant milestone in Kohima’s healthcare journey, reflecting the government’s continued efforts to improve healthcare access for all.
(Molungnenla Longchar IA Dimapur)
