Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government on Wednesday (Sep 11) green-lighted a $6,000 (INR 500,000) health coverage plan for all senior citizens aged 70 and above. The plan, launched under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), will cover all senior citizens, irrespective of economic status.&nbsp;

The decision was taken at the meeting of the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.&nbsp;

According to the Indian government, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme. The scheme covers 550 million families, regardless of the age of family members.

The government said the new insurance plan is set to benefit more than 45 million Indian families across the country.

“All senior citizens of the age 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY,” the government said in a release.

As of now, INR 3,437 crore have been earmarked for the scheme, a figure the government says will increase with time.

“This is a demand-based scheme; as the demand goes up, the coverage will also be increased,” said Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav while sharing the cabinet meet decisions.

<h2>How to avail the new scheme?</h2>

To avail benefits of the new insurance plan, senior citizens will receive a separate card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

The citizens who are already covered under previous AB PM-JAY plans will get an additional top-up for $6,000 per annum.

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Senior citizens who are availing benefits of some other government policy will have the choice of either continuing their current plan or opting for the new scheme.

<h2>Major achievements of AB PM-JAY</h2>

According to government data, more than 73 million hospital admissions have been covered under the scheme so far, with almost 50 per cent of the beneficiaries being women.

Also, members of the public have benefitted by more than ₹1 lakh crore through this healthcare initiative.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government on Wednesday (Sep 11) green-lighted a $6,000 (INR 500,000) health coverage plan for all senior citizens aged 70 and above.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government on Wednesday (Sep 11) green-lighted a $6,000 (INR 500,000) health coverage plan for all senior citizens aged 70 and above. The plan, launched under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), will cover all senior citizens, irrespective of economic status. The decision was taken at the meeting of the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. According to the Indian government, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme. The scheme covers 550 million families, regardless of the age of family members. The government said the new insurance plan is set to benefit more than 45 million Indian families across the country. “All senior citizens of the age 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, would be eligible to avail the benefits of AB PM-JAY,” the government said in a release. As of now, INR 3,437 crore have been earmarked for the scheme, a figure the government says will increase with time. “This is a demand-based scheme; as the demand goes up, the coverage will also be increased,” said Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav while sharing the cabinet meet decisions. How to avail the new scheme? To avail benefits of the new insurance plan, senior citizens will receive a separate card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The citizens who are already covered under previous AB PM-JAY plans will get an additional top-up for $6,000 per annum. Also read: Samsung India protests go on for 3rd day; workers firm on demands Senior citizens who are availing benefits of some other government policy will have the choice of either continuing their current plan or opting for the new scheme. Major achievements of AB PM-JAY According to government data, more than 73 million hospital admissions have been covered under the scheme so far, with almost 50 per cent of the beneficiaries being women. Also, members of the public have benefitted by more than ₹1 lakh crore through this healthcare initiative. (With inputs from agencies)

Modi govt extends Ayushman Bharat $6,000 insurance cover to all nationals aged 70 and above

Ride-hailing platform Uber on Friday said it has partnered with the National Health Authority (NHA) to provide transport service to frontline healthcare workers in the country, who are engaged in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

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Uber will initially facilitate the provision of 150 cars free of cost to support medical facilities in New Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj and Patna through its recently launched UberMedic service, according to a statement.

All UberMedic cars supplied to NHA will be equipped with roof-to-floor plastic sheeting enclosing the driver's seat, thereby acting as a protective barrier between the rider and driver, it added.

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Additionally, each UberMedic car will be disinfected after every ride to ensure the highest possible safety and hygiene standards in line with government guidelines, the statement said.

"Uber is proud to partner with the National Health Authority to offer free UberMedic rides to transport frontline healthcare workers in specific locations for helping contain the spread of COVID-19. All drivers will be specially trained in safety procedures and provided with personal protective equipment including masks, sanitisers and disinfectants to sanitise UberMedic cars after each ride," Uber India and South Asia President Pradeep Parameswaran said.

With the implementation of the 21-day lockdown, the government has allowed only people in essential services like healthcare, banking and media to commute. Limited mobility options have made it difficult for these people to travel to their workplace.

Indu Bhushan, chief executive officer of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) and National Health Authority, said the partnership with Uber in this hour of need is a much-needed initiative to extend necessary support to the healthcare workers who are leading this fight against COVID-19.

"Limited mobility options had made it difficult for frontline workers to travel to their workplaces which is the hospital. This initiative will further strengthen India's response to contain the spread of COVID-19," Bhushan added.&nbsp;

Ride-hailing platform Uber on Friday said it has partnered with the National Health Authority (NHA) to provide transport service to frontline healthcare workers in the country, who are engaged in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Ride-hailing platform Uber on Friday said it has partnered with the National Health Authority (NHA) to provide transport service to frontline healthcare workers in the country, who are engaged in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Also read: No shortage of medical supplies to fight COVID-19 outbreak: Government Uber will initially facilitate the provision of 150 cars free of cost to support medical facilities in New Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Prayagraj and Patna through its recently launched UberMedic service, according to a statement. All UberMedic cars supplied to NHA will be equipped with roof-to-floor plastic sheeting enclosing the driver's seat, thereby acting as a protective barrier between the rider and driver, it added. Also read: PM Modi urges citizens to light diyas, candles on Sunday at 9 pm for 9 mins Additionally, each UberMedic car will be disinfected after every ride to ensure the highest possible safety and hygiene standards in line with government guidelines, the statement said. "Uber is proud to partner with the National Health Authority to offer free UberMedic rides to transport frontline healthcare workers in specific locations for helping contain the spread of COVID-19. All drivers will be specially trained in safety procedures and provided with personal protective equipment including masks, sanitisers and disinfectants to sanitise UberMedic cars after each ride," Uber India and South Asia President Pradeep Parameswaran said. With the implementation of the 21-day lockdown, the government has allowed only people in essential services like healthcare, banking and media to commute. Limited mobility options have made it difficult for these people to travel to their workplace. Indu Bhushan, chief executive officer of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY) and National Health Authority, said the partnership with Uber in this hour of need is a much-needed initiative to extend necessary support to the healthcare workers who are leading this fight against COVID-19. "Limited mobility options had made it difficult for frontline workers to travel to their workplaces which is the hospital. This initiative will further strengthen India's response to contain the spread of COVID-19," Bhushan added.

Uber partners NHA to provide dedicated transport service to COVID-19 healthcare workers

In a first in India, three hospitals have been rewarded by the government with `gold certificates` for bringing in quality culture in providing healthcare services to the patients under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

These hospitals are UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre based at Ahmedabad, Cygnus Super Speciality Hospital in Haryana and Spine Institute of Orthopaedic in Ahmedabad.

"We have a very robust system, which closely monitors the compliance with the norms related to the quality certificate given by the PMJAY. So far we have received four applications for the certificate," said Dr JL Meena, General Manager, Hospital Networking and Quality Assurance at AB-PMJAY while talking to ANI.

"Three hospitals have fulfilled the criteria for the gold certificate. Application for one hospital is still under scrutiny. This entire process is aimed at building a culture of quality healthcare for the patients," added Dr Meena.

Last month, the implementing body of AB-PMJAY -- the National Health Authority framed comprehensive guidelines for hospitals to be empanelled with the healthcare scheme to apply for a quality certificate.

This list of guidelines includes infrastructure, human resource requirements, appropriate space for the ambulance in hospital for patient movement, proper lighting facility inside and outside the hospital, medical instruments and equipment, their maintenance, fire fighting equipment and basic amenities like safe drinking water, hygiene, canteen, suitable toilets for men and women.

The guidelines for a self-assessment tool kit to get a quality certificate is very user-friendly, practical and has no language barrier, an official said.&nbsp;

As of now, there are 18,097 hospitals on board with the AB-PMJAY, which have treated around 50 lakh patients.&nbsp;

In a first in India, three hospitals have been rewarded by the government with `gold certificates` for bringing in quality culture in providing healthcare services to the patients under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

In a first in India, three hospitals have been rewarded by the government with `gold certificates` for bringing in quality culture in providing healthcare services to the patients under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). These hospitals are UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre based at Ahmedabad, Cygnus Super Speciality Hospital in Haryana and Spine Institute of Orthopaedic in Ahmedabad. "We have a very robust system, which closely monitors the compliance with the norms related to the quality certificate given by the PMJAY. So far we have received four applications for the certificate," said Dr JL Meena, General Manager, Hospital Networking and Quality Assurance at AB-PMJAY while talking to ANI. "Three hospitals have fulfilled the criteria for the gold certificate. Application for one hospital is still under scrutiny. This entire process is aimed at building a culture of quality healthcare for the patients," added Dr Meena. Last month, the implementing body of AB-PMJAY -- the National Health Authority framed comprehensive guidelines for hospitals to be empanelled with the healthcare scheme to apply for a quality certificate. This list of guidelines includes infrastructure, human resource requirements, appropriate space for the ambulance in hospital for patient movement, proper lighting facility inside and outside the hospital, medical instruments and equipment, their maintenance, fire fighting equipment and basic amenities like safe drinking water, hygiene, canteen, suitable toilets for men and women. The guidelines for a self-assessment tool kit to get a quality certificate is very user-friendly, practical and has no language barrier, an official said. As of now, there are 18,097 hospitals on board with the AB-PMJAY, which have treated around 50 lakh patients.

In a first, PMJAY rewards 3 hospitals with 'gold certificate' for quality culture