Seven Years of Ayushman Bharat: Modi hails landmark in Public Healthcare Revolution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the Ayushman Bharat scheme as a transformative force in India’s public healthcare system, marking seven years since its launch. Calling it a “revolution in public healthcare,” Modi said the initiative has not only provided quality and affordable treatment but also offered financial protection and dignity to millions of families.

Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat provides an annual health cover of ₹5 lakh to eligible households, including the poor and all senior citizens above 70. It is today regarded as the world’s largest health assurance programme, covering more than 55 crore people. Over 42 crore Ayushman cards have been issued so far, enabling access to healthcare across thousands of empanelled hospitals.

In a post on X, Modi wrote, “Today we mark 7 years of Ayushman Bharat. This was an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focussed on ensuring top quality as well as affordable healthcare for people. Thanks to it, India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare. It has ensured financial protection and dignity.”

He added that the programme demonstrates “how scale, compassion and technology can further human empowerment,” reflecting India’s capability to innovate in welfare delivery at a massive level.

According to official data, Ayushman Bharat has contributed to a sharp rise in government expenditure on healthcare from 29% to 48% while reducing out-of-pocket costs from 63% to 39%. Officials claim the scheme saves over six crore families from slipping into poverty every year due to medical expenses.

The government hailed the programme for protecting millions from financial distress, underlining that no family should face ruin because of illness.