Bilaspur, Oct 6: President Droupadi Murmu has highlighted the role of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in reducing the financial burden of medical treatment on economically vulnerable families.
Speaking at the first convocation of AIIMS Bilaspur, the President said serious illness can place a heavy financial strain on families, particularly those with limited resources. She stressed the importance of ensuring that people have access to quality healthcare without facing unaffordable treatment costs.
Under AB-PMJAY, eligible beneficiaries receive health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation. The scheme has become an important component of India’s efforts to expand financial protection and access to healthcare.
According to government data, as of August 31, 2026, the scheme had funded around 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth ₹2.03 lakh crore through a network of more than 38,000 empanelled public and private hospitals.
Focus on affordable healthcare
President Murmu also emphasised the need to develop affordable and accessible healthcare solutions, particularly for people living in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
She called on institutions such as AIIMS to contribute to healthcare solutions that can reduce costs while maintaining quality. She also highlighted the importance of telemedicine, specialist consultations, medical training and modern technology in improving healthcare access in remote regions.
The President urged medical professionals to keep the needs of patients at the centre of their work and stressed that healthcare involves not only medical expertise but also compassion and trust.
Strengthening health protection
Ayushman Bharat forms part of a broader healthcare framework that includes Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.
The government said these initiatives are aimed at improving access to primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare while reducing out-of-pocket expenditure for households.
The President’s remarks at AIIMS Bilaspur underline the growing importance of combining financial protection with accessible medical infrastructure, particularly for vulnerable and remote communities.
As healthcare costs continue to remain a concern for many families, expanding affordable treatment and ensuring greater awareness of available health protection schemes remain important elements of India’s broader push towards universal healthcare.