Page 52 - Mann Ki Baat - English
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Health for All
How Ayushman Bharat is Changing Lives Across India
health assurance scheme, has
been a major step in addressing
the gap in affordability and
access by providing financial
coverage for treatment of
cancer to low-income and
marginalised populations. The
ease of enrollment of eligible
beneficiaries, roll-out at a
national level, inclusion of both
public and private healthcare
Dr C S Pramesh facilities in the scheme, direct
MS, FRCS Director, pay-out to the hospitals without
Tata Memorial Hospital the need of initial payment by
patients, cost-sharing with states
are some the unique features
which have contributed to the
success of AB PM-JAY in meeting
Cancer is the third leading its objective – no one should
cause of death in India. The be denied care due to lack of
outcomes of cancer treatment affordability. Higher cost sharing
are linked to timely delivery of by center for north-eastern and
appropriate and comprehensive hilly states have addressed
cancer care - a reflection of the inequities in access due to
access, affordability and quality. geographical challenges which
High costs of treatment, lack of makes it difficult for residents of
universal health care leading to these areas to travel to different
high out-of-pocket expenditure cities for cancer treatment.
and the need to travel long– The focus is not just
distances to access cancer provision of financial support
care lead to delays, treatment but ensuring delivery of quality
abandonment, increasing and value-based care. To
poverty, and high mortality ensure quality care, the National
rates with economically weaker Health Authority (NHA) has
sections bearing the most partnered with the National
impact. Cancer Grid (NCG) to link the
The Ayushman Bharat cancer health benefit packages
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya under AB PM-JAY with the
Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the world’s essential and optimal category
largest government-funded of cancer treatment guidelines
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