President Murmu Stresses Healthcare Reforms as Ayushman Bharat Achieves Milestone
In a significant address during the Budget Session 2026, President Droupadi Murmu underscored the government's unwavering commitment to transforming India's healthcare landscape. The President highlighted the remarkable progress made under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which has now crossed a monumental milestone of 11 crore treatments provided to beneficiaries across the nation.
Ayushman Bharat's Impact on Public Health
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), commonly known as Ayushman Bharat, has emerged as a cornerstone of India's public health initiatives. Since its inception, the scheme has aimed to provide financial protection and access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations. President Murmu emphasized that the achievement of over 11 crore treatments reflects the scheme's extensive reach and effectiveness in addressing healthcare disparities.
Key aspects of Ayushman Bharat's success include:
- Providing cashless treatment for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- Covering over 50 crore beneficiaries from economically weaker sections.
- Empowering millions of families by reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Focus on Healthcare Reforms in Budget Session 2026
President Murmu's address during the Budget Session 2026 placed a strong emphasis on the need for continued healthcare reforms. She outlined the government's vision to build a robust and inclusive health infrastructure that can cater to the evolving needs of India's population. The President called for enhanced collaboration between the central and state governments to further strengthen the implementation of health schemes.
Murmu stated, "The success of Ayushman Bharat is a testament to our collective efforts in making healthcare accessible and affordable. We must now build on this foundation to ensure holistic health coverage for all citizens."
Future Directions and Policy Implications
The Budget Session 2026 is expected to witness discussions on several key healthcare initiatives, including:
- Expanding the scope of Ayushman Bharat to cover additional medical procedures and treatments.
- Integrating digital health technologies to streamline service delivery and improve patient outcomes.
- Strengthening primary healthcare facilities to reduce the burden on tertiary care centers.
President Murmu's emphasis on healthcare reforms aligns with the government's broader agenda of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. The milestone of 11 crore treatments under Ayushman Bharat serves as a powerful indicator of the scheme's impact and the potential for further scaling up efforts.
As India continues to navigate post-pandemic challenges, the focus on healthcare in the Budget Session 2026 underscores the critical role of public health in driving sustainable development and improving the quality of life for millions of citizens.
