West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the resumption of the Ayushman Bharat health card rollout in the state, set to begin in July. This marks a significant return to the Centre’s flagship health insurance programme, nearly seven years after the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government opted out. The announcement was made during a virtual meeting involving Adhikari and Union Health Minister JP Nadda.

Adhikari stated that approximately six crore beneficiaries currently enrolled in the state-run Swasthya Sathi scheme would transition to the Ayushman Bharat programme. He emphasised that this move seeks to provide health coverage not only for residents of West Bengal but also for those originally from the state who are employed in different regions across India.

Funding Allocations And Health Initiatives

As part of this renewed health initiative, Adhikari informed that the central government has allocated Rs 976 crore for Ayushman Bharat’s implementation in West Bengal. He highlighted that funds which were designated over the previous two years but not accepted by the former administration will now be reimbursed. This marks a shift in the state’s approach to healthcare following the change in governance.

In addition to the Ayushman Bharat rollout, the Chief Minister announced a range of other health initiatives. These include the provision of over seven lakh vaccine doses to West Bengal, with a formal launch scheduled for May 30 at Bidhannagar Hospital in Kolkata. A significant campaign is also set to commence, aiming to make West Bengal tuberculosis-free, aligning with similar efforts nationwide.

Moreover, efforts are underway to establish 468 Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which are government-run medical stores that offer medicines at highly subsidised rates. Adhikari noted that these outlets would provide discounts of 70-80 per cent, significantly lowering out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for patients.

Future Goals For Health Coverage and Child Healthcare Initiatives

The state government plans to broaden its focus on child health, particularly in seven districts where under-five mortality rates remain concerningly high. Recruitment processes for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff are expected to conclude within three months, with the aim of increasing health coverage in West Bengal from the current 53 per cent to at least 98 per cent.

Under the National Health Mission, West Bengal has received an allocation of Rs 2,103 crore, of which Rs 500 crore has already been disbursed, as per Adhikari’s remarks. The state is poised to address its healthcare challenges more effectively, given the enhanced funding and renewed commitment to central initiatives.

During the recent election campaign, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of hindering the implementation of Ayushman Bharat and various other central schemes. Following the elections, the BJP succeeded in breaking the TMC’s 15-year hold on power in West Bengal, securing 208 out of 294 Assembly constituencies, while the TMC’s representation fell to 80 seats.

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