West Bengal launches Ayushman Bharat, Mukhyamantri Swasthya Yojana from August 16

West Bengal today launched the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and its state cashless coverage scheme, Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, from August 16. Health minister Sharadwat Mukherjee said 16 August will be observed as Ayushman Diwas, bringing the state's people under the same health-security framework as the rest of India, PTI reported. The scheme covers 1.5 crore families, or 6 crore individuals. Those ineligible under Ayushman Bharat will be covered by the state scheme, which offers an equal annual cashless health cover of up to Rs 5 lakh.

A total of 1,930 hospitals in the state, including 1,303 private and 627 government facilities, have been empanelled under the scheme. The Centre has allocated about Rs 1,000 crore, covering 60% of funding, while the state bears the remaining 40%. Beneficiaries can also avail services at over 40,000 empanelled hospitals nationwide, benefiting migrant workers and travellers. Around 3.4 crore people in the state are already covered and can use the scheme from today, the minister said.

Mukherjee assured that the existing TMC government's Swasthya Sathi scheme will continue alongside the new schemes for two to three months while beneficiaries are shifted gradually. To prevent billing irregularities, a nodal health department team will hold fortnightly review meetings. Agreements with private hospitals have been finalised for 90 days. An 'Ayushman Diwas' programme will be held at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata at 3 pm, with chief minister Suvendhu Adhikari and Union minister Anupriya Patel expected to attend, The Statesman reported.