Ayushman Bharat -PMJAY-SEHAT Scheme has proved to be a boon for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Launched in 2020, the scheme provides a healthcare insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to every resident family. More than 20 lakh families have been covered under the scheme. J&K has spent over Rs 2285 crore on hospitalizations under this scheme till 2025. Cent percent of families have been registered, and over 86.12 lakh Ayushman Golden Cards have been issued under the scheme. Modi cards, as they are popularly called, have revolutionized healthcare in Kashmir. From government hospitals to private facilities, a person can avail the cashless treatment facility without any hitch. However, the scheme is under strain of late. The government suspended a top cardiologist over procedural misrepresentation and financial impropriety under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme. An enquiry has been ordered into the whole issue. While the government has every right to go to the bottom of the case, this episode should not affect the beneficiaries. Given the disease burden, the scheme has helped thousands of patients who otherwise were unable to fund their treatment. Thousands of patients are undergoing regular dialysis and chemotherapy for free, thanks to the scheme. Patients have been receiving cashless treatment at empanelled private hospitals for years. Even top-end hospitals are providing free treatment. Such is the mechanism that those denying treatment are proceeded against under the law. This has sent a positive message across Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, AB-PMJAY is available across the country. It has become a cornerstone of healthcare equity for lower-income people and senior citizens: Treatment worth Rs. 1,80,435 crore has been provided so far across India. The central government has empanelled 36,218 hospitals, which include 19,659 public and 16,559 private. Over 1.20 crore senior citizens have been enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana scheme. Over 13.84 lakh treatments worth Rs. 3,000 crore have been availed by senior citizens till June 5, 2026. However, payment delays to hospitals have created uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir. Several hospitals have threatened to withdraw from the scheme. Sensing the crisis, the Medical Education Department has sanctioned ₹175 crore to clear outstanding payments. Jammu and Kashmir has suffered immensely in the last 35 years of terrorism. This scheme has proved to be a lifeline for the people. Both hospitals and the government should sit together and thrash out the solution. Hospitals should avoid holding the government to ransom. The government too needs to understand the financial strain of the hospitals and clear dues as per the agreement. Hospitals cannot work in isolation. They need money to run their affairs. The government cannot delay the payments and at the same time force hospitals to adhere to the norms. Patient welfare should be at the centre of all discussions. Both factions should show flexibility and resolve the issue for the good of society.
PMJAY-SEHAT
