NAHARLAGUN, Sep 15: The health & family welfare department organised a morning walkathon from Sector A to Hathi Matha here on 15 September to mark the commencement of the Ayushman Bharat Pakhwada (ABP).
Similar walkathons were also organised in various districts, such as East Siang, Lohit and Changlang, while reports from many other districts are awaited.
Ayushman Bharat or Healthy India was launched in 2018, based on recommendation under the National Health Policy, 2017, to achieve the vision of universal health coverage. It comprises two inter-related components – establishment of health and wellness centres (HWC), covering prevention, promotion and ambulatory care at the primary level, and the PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) for cashless treatment at the secondary and tertiary level.
The objective of the initiative is to create awareness on availing the services from HWCs, the PMJAY and the CMAAY. The fortnight-long programme will focus on enrolling all families under the CMAAY to enable them to benefit from the scheme.
The walkathon here, which saw the participation of over 300 people, was led by Health Services Director Dr Moromor Lego, DFW Dr A Yirang, Joint DHS Dr S Bhattacharjee, Nursing Deputy Director Dr Emi Rumi, the deputy directors of health services, and nodal officers of various health programmes. Health department officials, students, and members of the public also joined it.
NHM nodal officer Dr Dimong Padung briefed the participants on the ABP, and said the fortnight-long celebration is aimed at reaching out to the beneficiaries with information about availing the services of the schemes.
HWC state nodal officer Dr L Jampa informed that all health sub-centres, PHCs and CHCs in the state would be upgraded to HWCs by 2022, and all health services, including medicines, diagnostics and comprehensive primary healthcare, would be provided free of cost.
At present there are 72 operational HWCs in the state.
PMJAY CEO Dr Tana Takum informed that the PMJAY “is the world’s largest healthcare scheme which provides up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year as cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.”
Families not included under the PMJAY are covered under the CMAAY, he said, adding that “all the empanelled hospitals, both private and public, are providing free treatment under the scheme.”
Health and wellness officers presented a skit on the various services and benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. HWC assistant nodal officer Dr Dipu Lowang informed that Ayushman Bharat Divas would be celebrated on 23 September, on the completion of one year of Ayushman Bharat, at all public hospitals, HWCs and empanelled private hospitals. He also advocated felicitating “one best ASHA and ANM per facility.”
Dr Lego advised the districts and health facilities to observe the ABP, and advised the beneficiaries to avail the schemes. (DIPRO)
