On the occasion of Ayushman Bharat Diwas, which marks India’s continued journey toward Universal Health Coverage, ACCESS Health International had the privilege of participating in a high-level strategic dialogue convened by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to reaffirm commitments under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). The meeting, led by Shri Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, brought together senior officials from the State Agency for Comprehensive Health Insurance and Integrated Services (SACHIS), including CEO Ms. Archana Verma and Additional CEO Dr. Pooja Yadav.
As a technical partner to SACHIS, ACCESS Health was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the discussions, sharing observations and suggestions aimed at strengthening citizen-centric healthcare delivery under PMJAY. The dialogue emphasized the importance of building robust patient support systems, enhancing care coordination, and advancing a comprehensive Continuum of Care approach to ensure equitable and seamless access to services.
Ayushman Bharat represents a landmark initiative in India’s health system reform, bringing together two key pillars: Health and Wellness Centres, which deliver comprehensive primary care at the community level, and PMJAY, which offers financial protection of up to ₹5 lakh annually for more than 12 crore vulnerable families in need of secondary and tertiary care.
The program’s reach and impact are significant—nearly 40 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued, enabling over 6.2 crore free hospital admissions and resulting in savings of more than ₹1.25 lakh crore in out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, over 1.63 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established, supporting 17 crore teleconsultations, alongside 100 crore screenings for hypertension and diabetes.
ACCESS Health shared a few strategies to help strengthen implementation mechanisms and build technical capacity for more responsive and effective program delivery. We are thankful for the opportunity to contribute to this shared vision—of making healthcare in Uttar Pradesh more accessible, inclusive, and attuned to the needs of every citizen.