Andaman & Nicobar Wins Best UT Award Under Ayushman Bharat

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been honoured with the Best Union Territory award in the “Treatment of Beneficiaries” category under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its exemplary implementation and beneficiary support efforts, officials said. The recognition underscores the Union Territory’s commitment to effectively deliver healthcare services to eligible patients under the flagship health insurance programme.

The award reflects significant strides in ensuring that beneficiaries not only receive cashless treatment but also practical support in accessing care, particularly in circumstances requiring referral outside the islands. In this context, A&N authorities have put in place structured mechanisms to provide transport reimbursements and wage-loss compensation for patients referred to mainland hospitals innovations that have eased financial burdens on families and improved treatment uptake.

Launched in September 2018 , AB-PMJAY is India’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, offering cashless healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care at empanelled public and private hospitals nationwide. It aims to safeguard vulnerable and economically disadvantaged families from catastrophic medical expenses and broaden healthcare access across the country.

Under the scheme, eligibility is primarily determined through data from the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 , with benefits available irrespective of age or gender and covering a wide range of procedures, including surgeries, diagnostics, and inpatient care. The programme’s cashless and paperless delivery model not only reduces out-of-pocket spending for patients but also simplifies access to treatment across states.

Since its launch, AB-PMJAY has grown rapidly in scale and impact. Government data show that the scheme has saved families substantial amounts in healthcare costs and extended coverage to tens of crores of individuals, while empaneling over 33,000 hospitals across India, including thousands of private and public facilities.

AB-PMJAY’s implementation success, however, has been accompanied by noteworthy challenges. Reports from various evaluations highlight issues such as delays in reimbursements to hospitals, irregular claims, and regional disparities in service access. These concerns have occasionally strained relationships with healthcare providers and underscored the need for strong anti-fraud measures , efficient claim processing, and timely settlement systems to sustain provider participation and scheme credibility.

To strengthen the programme further, the government is advancing digital integration through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) , which aims to build an interoperable health information ecosystem that links patients, providers, and records electronically, improving continuity of care and administrative efficiency.

Experts also note that integrating AB-PMJAY with broader public health initiatives and expanding its reach into primary care , prevention and outpatient services could deepen its impact and align it more closely with India’s goals of universal health coverage . In regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, combining portability support with digital outreach and local healthcare strengthening represents a promising model for greater equity and patient-centred care delivery.