Ayushman Bharat to AIIMS expansion: Govt lists healthcare gains under PM Modi

As Narendra Modi became the longest-serving democratically elected prime minister of India in consecutive terms, a government document released on Wednesday highlighted changes in the country’s healthcare sector over the last 12 years, citing expanded health insurance coverage, improvements in maternal and child healthcare, and growth in medical infrastructure.

The booklet, ‘Lok Seva Mein Pradhan Sevak Ke 11 Varsh’, stated that the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), described as the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, has issued more than 43 crore Ayushman cards.

The scheme provides free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually. According to the booklet, more than 12 crore patients have received treatment under the programme, resulting in savings of over Rs 1.25 lakh crore for beneficiaries.

The document stated that the government has allocated more than Rs 9,500 crore for AB-PMJAY in the current financial year to strengthen health assurance coverage further.

In maternal healthcare, more than seven crore free antenatal check-ups have been conducted under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), which aims to ensure safe pregnancies and reduce maternal mortality.

According to the booklet, the maternal mortality ratio declined from 130 deaths per one lakh live births in 2014 to 88 in 2026, a reduction of about 32 per cent.

The government also highlighted the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. More than 15 lakh people purchase low-cost medicines daily through Jan Aushadhi Kendras, with citizens saving more than Rs 40,000 crore through discounts on medicines, implants and medical devices.

The booklet stated that more than 105 crore sanitary napkins have been sold under the Suvidha initiative at a subsidised price of Re 1.

Under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, more than four crore free dialysis sessions have been provided to patients suffering from serious kidney ailments.

The government document further stated that more than seven crore people have benefited from Amrit Pharmacies, which offer medicines for critical illnesses at affordable rates. The Centre has set a target of establishing 500 such pharmacies across the country.

According to the booklet, primary healthcare services have been strengthened through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. It stated that more than 60 crore cancer screenings have been conducted and over 42 crore tele-consultations have taken place, bringing healthcare services closer to communities.

The document also highlighted growth in medical education and healthcare infrastructure. The number of medical colleges increased from 387 in 2014 to more than 800 in 2026.

During the same period, MBBS seats rose from 51,348 to 1,28,976, while postgraduate medical seats increased from 31,185 to 85,822.

The booklet stated that the number of AIIMS institutions nearly tripled from eight to 23.

Public expenditure on healthcare has also increased, according to the document. Health budget allocation rose from Rs 35,163 crore in 2014 to Rs 1,06,530 crore in 2026, while the AYUSH budget increased from Rs 1,272 crore to Rs 4,408 crore.

The booklet added that the share of government health expenditure increased from 29 per cent to 48 per cent, reflecting a reduction in out-of-pocket spending by citizens.

Institutional deliveries have reached 96 per cent in rural areas and 98 per cent in urban areas, according to the document.

The booklet stated that full immunisation coverage under Mission Indradhanush has crossed 98 per cent, while more than 220 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the country.

It also noted that tuberculosis incidence declined by 21 per cent between 2015 and 2024, nearly double the global average rate of decline.

The government document highlighted the growth of digital health infrastructure, stating that more than 87 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs have been generated, allowing citizens to create and access digital health records across healthcare facilities.

To improve cancer care, customs duty has been fully exempted on 17 critical cancer medicines, making treatment more affordable for patients.

The Centre has also announced plans to establish day-care cancer centres in all district hospitals over the next two years to improve access to specialised treatment closer to people’s homes.

The booklet further stated that the government has launched a nationwide drive for free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to protect adolescent girls against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.