The State Government will observe Ayushman Diwas on September 23 every year wherein public representatives will spread awareness about the advantages of Ayushman Bharat Scheme and encourage people to enroll in it, Health Minister Ramchandra Chandravanshi said on Friday while reviewing the works done within the scope of the scheme in Jharkhand.

“By now, we have enlisted 630 hospitals in the scheme and out of them, 216 hospitals are run by the Government,” said Chandravanshi, asking officials to encourage maximum participation of hospitals in the scheme.

The meeting in Ranchi was attended by Civil Surgeons of all the 24 districts, State Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni and Director of National Health Mission Shailesh Kumar Chourasia. The Directors of the three leading Government Hospitals in Jharkhand—Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Mahatma Gandhi Medical College Hospital (MGMCH) and Patliputra Medical College Hospital (PMCH)—also attended the meeting.

Addressing the meet, Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni asked Government hospitals to pull up their socks and deliver more under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. He lauded the efforts of Sadar Hospital, Ranchi and asked other Government-run hospitals to replicate its performance. “Within a month, the Government will provide Golden Cards to those beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat scheme who have not received their cards yet,” said Kulkarni.  

Under Ayushman Bharat, a Centre-run scheme for providing health facilities to the poor, the State has treated at least 1,73,501 patients. Out of these patients, at least 1,51,668, around 90 percent of the total number, were treated in private hospitals.

The Secretary also reviewed the progress in Government’s campaign for searching patients of Leprosy and Tuberculosis in Jharkhand. He said that the district officials who have not performed satisfactorily in the campaign have been asked to give an explanation within 24 hours. Latehar, he said, was the worst performer in terms of searching such patients and treating them. “Any patient suffering from Tuberculosis should not be charged for X-Ray. Also, every Sadar Hospital should have a Jan Aushaddhi Kendra, which will sell generic drugs,” said Kulkarni.

The Government will organise a major event on September 23 and mark the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. By now, the State Government has spent Rs 170 crore in the scheme. At least 36.65 lakh beneficiaries have received Golden Cards under the scheme here.