Analysis The Performance of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna In Himachal Pradesh: A Study Of Kangra District

Abstract

Ayushman Bharat, is a health insurance scheme of Government of India was launched in 2018, with aim to achieve the target of universal health coverage. The scheme crossed the milestone of 30 crore Ayushman cards created in 2024. Uttar Pradesh has top state in the list of states with the highest number of Ayushman Cards creation following by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The AB-PMJAY was launched in Himachal Pradesh on 23^rd September,2018 for proving cashless treatment up to five lakhs per year per low- income families in rural and urban areas for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. In Himachal Pradesh 13.47 lakhs Ayushman Cards have been created under AB-PMJAY and 2,34,155 authorised hospital admissions till November, 2024. The Government of Himachal Pradesh also included senior citizens aged 70 years and above and 44 thousand Anganwadi and Asha workers to get benefits of up to Rs. 5 lakhs health insurance cover. The present study is an attempt to analysis the performance of AB-PMJAY in Himachal Pradesh. The objectives of study are to know about the status of Ayushman card created, empanelled hospitals and authorised hospital admissions in state and to identify and analysis of factors influencing the satisfaction level of beneficiaries under AB-PMJAY. The data and relevant information for the study were collected through primary and secondary source of information. Statistical tools such as, percentage method, and factor analysis have been used for data analysis and finding results. The study found that over 3.06 lakh patients have benefited under Ayushman Bharat scheme, with an expenditure of Rs. 408.38 crore, shortage of specialist’s doctors and absence of medical infrastructure, lack of post hospitalisation follow-up care services, empanelled hospitals were failure in meeting the prescribed criteria of operating operation, people’s being facing difficulties in making Ayushman cards. The study also found that the factor “hospitals availability and cleanness services” has high influence on satisfaction level of beneficiaries under AB-PMJAY in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, followed by quality services and treatments, medical staff attitudes, medical infrastructure and punctuality and caring services. The study highlighted significant suggestions for improving the performance of Ayushman Bharat Scheme in Himachal Pradesh.