On the completion of seven years of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Monday launched several digital tools and initiatives to make healthcare access easier for beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh.

The launch took place at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scientific Convention Centre, KGMU, where Pathak unveiled the Ayush-Man e-comic book, Ayushman Sampark call centre, Ayushman Sarathi app, Ayushi chatbot, and the Ayushman Handbook.

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The Ayushman Sarathi app will help cardholders locate nearby empanelled hospitals and obtain details about their facilities. The Ayush-Man e-comic book, Ayushman Samvad Digital, and the Ayushman Handbook will provide beneficiaries with comprehensive information about the scheme. The AI-based Ayushi chatbot allows users to ask questions about the scheme digitally.

Through the Ayushman Sampark call centre (1800 1800 4444), beneficiaries can now book appointments with doctors at empanelled hospitals from home. The call centre also facilitates immediate admissions in emergencies after coordinating with hospital doctors. 

Currently, over 500 private hospitals have been enrolled under this facility, where cardholders can access subsidised OPD services and have OPD costs covered if admitted under the scheme.

Deputy CM Pathak directed officials to expedite hospital empanelment so that beneficiaries face no difficulty in receiving treatment. Highlighting UP’s progress, he said the state has created 5.38 crore Ayushman cards out of a target of 9 crore beneficiaries, with 87 per cent of eligible families having at least one card. 

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To date, more than 74.4 lakh free treatments have been provided in 6,099 empanelled hospitals (2,949 government and 2,966 private), at a cost of approximately Rs 12283 crore.

During the ceremony, Pathak felicitated beneficiaries with Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi kits and angavastras (ceremonial scarves), and honoured twelve hospitals for their outstanding work in implementing the scheme.