Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Tuesday that state government employees will now be able to avail cashless in-patient AYUSH treatments under the Deendayal Upadhyay Rajya Karmchari Cashless Chikitsa Yojana. This decision will benefit around 16 lakh employees, who previously had to go through a lengthy reimbursement process for Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy treatments.
CM’s directive on AYUSH inclusion
While reviewing the health and medical education departments, Yogi instructed officials to bring in-patient (IPD) services under traditional systems like Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy within the ambit of the cashless medical scheme without any further delay. He emphasized that technology, accountability, and sensitivity must work together in health services, and visible improvement in public healthcare is essential to strengthen trust in the system.
Reactions from officials
AYUSH minister Dayashankar Dayalu welcomed the move, stating that the government has invested significantly in strengthening AYUSH services across the state. He noted that with the infrastructure now in place, the decision is timely and progressive, strengthening preventive healthcare and making traditional treatments more accessible within the public health framework.
CEO-SACHIS Archana Verma highlighted that a good portion of AYUSH services are preventive in nature. By offering cashless in-patient treatment, the government enables employees to proactively maintain their health and avoid falling sick.
Ayushman Bharat and healthcare expansion
The CM described Ayushman Bharat as the biggest support for poor and needy families and directed officials to ensure timely settlement of claims so hospitals can continue providing uninterrupted treatment. Officials informed that 6,480 hospitals are currently empanelled under the scheme across Uttar Pradesh, and more than 96.75 lakh free treatments have been provided so far.
Focus on quality and infrastructure
Yogi stressed that quality treatment, diagnostics, medicines, and emergency services in government hospitals must see continuous improvement. He called for strengthening medical colleges, nursing institutions, and super-specialty centers through modern technology, better manpower, and efficient management. The objective of medical education, he said, is not merely to increase institutions but to provide trained doctors, specialists, and quality healthcare workers to the state.
The CM underscored the importance of modern equipment, expert faculty, and research activities in medical institutions, along with a focus on emergency medical transportation, availability of quality medicines, and diagnostic testing.
Progress in medical education
Officials apprised the CM that the number of medical colleges in UP has increased from 44 in 2016-17 to 83 in 2025-26. MBBS seats have risen from 5,390 to 12,800, postgraduate medical seats from 1,344 to 5,067, and super-specialty seats have also increased. Nursing education expansion was also discussed, with 652 nursing institutions operational and nearly four lakh registered nursing personnel available.
Maternal and child health
The CM emphasized strengthening institutional and safe delivery systems to further reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. He stressed that every pregnant woman should receive timely and quality medical care.
Digital health initiatives
Digital health infrastructure was another major focus. Officials informed that more than 15 crore ABHA IDs have been created under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and over 15 crore electronic health records have been linked. Expansion of Hospital Information Systems and Lab Information Systems is underway.
Infrastructure projects
The government reviewed progress on several healthcare infrastructure projects, including a multistorey girls’ hostel at a medical college in Gorakhpur, a 110-bed trauma centre in Ayodhya, a BSc Nursing College in Saharanpur, and expansion of psychiatry and de-addiction units at a medical college in Kanpur. At Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, approval has been granted for a new 1,010-bed hospital on the upcoming campus.
Research and innovation
The CM emphasized medical research and innovation, with officials briefing him on MedTech projects and proposals worth around Rs 1,500 crore in the sector. Presentations were made on the Uttar Pradesh State Cancer Mission, trauma and emergency care network, and ICU expansion plans.
Ambulance services and dialysis
Officials informed that response time of 108 ambulance services and Advanced Life Support ambulances has continuously improved. Currently, 375 ALS ambulances are operational, and 9.38 lakh patients have been referred so far. The CM directed that ambulance response time be reduced further, noting that every minute is important during emergencies. He also ordered that medicines with less than three months of expiry should not remain in hospitals and should be replaced with fresh stock.
Dialysis services are available in 75 districts, and CT scan services in 74 districts. By March 2026, more than 35.69 lakh dialysis sessions and over 45.35 lakh CT scans had been conducted. Tele-radiology services are operational at 227 Community Health Centres.
