Sri Vijaya Puram, July 6: The Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 23rd September, 2018, continues to strengthen healthcare access by expanding health insurance coverage and including additional categories of beneficiaries under the flagship health assurance scheme of the Government of India. The scheme provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization at empanelled Government and private hospitals across the country.
In the A&N Islands, nearly 89,000 beneficiaries have been identified as eligible under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) and National Food Security Act (NFSA – PHH & AAY) categories. To facilitate easy identification of eligible beneficiaries, the Health Department has developed a dedicated module on the DHS Portal (dhs.andamannicobar.gov.in), enabling pending beneficiaries under the SECC and NFSA categories to verify their eligibility online.
Eligible beneficiaries may generate their Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Card through the Ayushman App available on the Google Play Store, seek assistance from Common Service Centres (CSCs), or visit the nearest Government health institution or the AB-PMJAY Help Desk at GB Pant Hospital. Beneficiaries belonging to the SECC and NFSA categories are required to carry their Aadhaar Card and Ration Card for card generation.
The Government of India has further expanded the scope of AB-PMJAY to extend healthcare coverage to additional beneficiary groups. Under the expanded provisions, ASHA Workers, Anganwadi Workers, Anganwadi Helpers, and Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) are now covered under the scheme. Further, with the introduction of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, are eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme.
Additionally, beneficiaries who were earlier covered under the ANISHI Scheme, including pensioners of the A&N Administration and families with an annual income of less than ₹3 lakh, are now covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, ensuring wider financial protection against healthcare expenses.
The scheme has significantly enhanced access to quality healthcare for the residents of the Islands. At present, approximately 60 to 70 patients are referred every month to empanelled hospitals on the mainland for specialized treatment under AB-PMJAY. The provision of cashless treatment at reputed hospitals across the country has substantially reduced the financial burden on beneficiaries and their families while ensuring timely access to advanced medical care.
To maximize enrolment and ensure that every eligible beneficiary is able to avail the benefits of the scheme, the Health Department is regularly conducting Ayushman Card generation drives and awareness campaigns across Gram Panchayats, Urban Health Centres (UHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and other healthcare institutions throughout the Islands.
All eligible beneficiaries who have not yet generated their Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Card are requested to do so at the earliest and take advantage of the comprehensive health protection available under the scheme. For further information or assistance, beneficiaries may contact the AB-PMJAY Helpline at 18003090645 or 2241548311.
