Executive Summary:
This document responds to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the effectiveness of Ayushman Bharat at the grassroots level. It outlines measures to enhance the capacity of health workers, details the implementation of digital health interventions like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and eSanjeevani, and presents key findings from impact assessments of Ayushman Bharat initiatives, including strategies to improve awareness and access to services.
Key Points / Main Content:
Capacity Enhancement of Health Workers:
* Training is provided to health administrators, ASHA workers, and community health workers to improve their skills and knowledge.
* A cascade model of training is used, where national trainers train state trainers, who then train district/block-level trainers and ASHAs.
* National Training and Regional Workshops are organized for health administrators and program officers.
Digital Health Interventions:
* Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was launched in September 2021 to create an online platform for interoperable health data and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) for citizens.
* ABDM includes Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), Health Professional Registry (HPR), Health Facility Registry (HFR), and ABHA Application.
* eSanjeevani National Telemedicine Service is rolled out under Ayushman Bharat, implemented in two variants: eSanjeevani AB-HWC (provider-to-provider) and eSanjeevani OPD (patient-to-provider).
Impact Assessment of Ayushman Bharat:
* A baseline study was conducted in 2019-2020 to assess the impact of AB-PMJAY.
* Recommendations from the study include increasing awareness of the scheme and addressing barriers to accessing healthcare services.
* Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras (PMAMs) are deployed at empanelled hospitals to guide beneficiaries, and PMJAY kiosks are installed for support.
* A national helpline number (14555) is available to provide assistance and address queries related to the scheme.
Impact Analysis:
Health Administrators, ASHA Workers, and Community Health Workers:
* Impact: Enhanced skills and knowledge through training programs.
* Action Required: Participate in training programs and apply learned skills to improve healthcare delivery.
Citizens:
* Impact: Access to digital health services through ABDM and telemedicine via eSanjeevani, improved awareness and access to AB-PMJAY.
* Action Required: Utilize ABHA to create and manage health records, access telemedicine services, and seek assistance from PMAMs and helpline.
Empanelled Hospitals:
* Impact: Increased patient volume and revenue through AB-PMJAY, requirement to support PMAMs and PMJAY kiosks.
* Action Required: Support PMAMs, maintain PMJAY kiosks, and facilitate access to services for beneficiaries.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy.
Ayushman Bharat: A national health program in India aiming to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
ASHA workers: Accredited Social Health Activists, community health workers in India.
Jammu and Kashmir: A union territory of India.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): A digital health initiative to create an online platform for health data interoperability.
eSanjeevani National Telemedicine Service: A telemedicine service under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY): A health insurance scheme under Ayushman Bharat providing financial protection for healthcare.
National Health Mission (NHM): A program to address the health needs of under-served rural areas.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3247
TO BE ANSWERED ON08.08.2025
EFFECTIVENESS OFAYUSHMAN BHARATATGRASSROOTS LEVEL
3247. SHRIDEVUSINH CHAUHAN:
SMT.POONAMBEN HEMATBHAIMAADAM:
SHRIPRADEEPKUMAR SINGH:
SHRIJASHUBHAI BHILUBHAIRATHVA:
SHRIDILESHWARKAMAIT:
SHRIJUGALKISHORE:
SHRIKARANBHUSHAN SINGH:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) the specific measures undertaken by the Government to enhance the capacity of health
administrators, ASHA workers and community health workers in the country as emphasized
during the Civil Services Day session;
(b) the model implemented by the Ministry for digital health intervention across all States in the
countryparticularlyin Jammu andKashmir;
(c) whether the Ministry has conducted any impact assessments or surveys to evaluate the
effectiveness of Ayushman Bharat initiatives at the grassroots level particularly in Jammu and
Kashmir; and
(d) if so, the key findings of such assessments and the manner in which the said outcomes
contributestopolicy-making decisions?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a): The training of Health administrators, ASHAs and community health workers is critical in
enhancing their credibility in the community and effectiveness to achieve the desired healthcare
outcomes through building knowledge and skills. Training helps workforce to effectively deliver
their multiple role asa facilitator, communitylevelhealthcare provider, andhealthactivist.
ASHAs are now part of Ayushman Arogya Mandir Team delivering comprehensive primary
health care,hence training onexpandednew packageshasbeen initiated.Acascade model of thetraining has been adopted for capacity building of ASHAs, wherein national trainers train the
Statetrainers, who further trainthe district/blockleveltrainersor ASHAs.
Under NHM program various National Training and Regional Workshops are organized for
Health administrators and Program officers like Regional Training Workshops held in Shillong,
Srinagar, Vijaywada and Jodhpur during FY 2024-25. Further, National Best Practices Summit
was held in Puri, Odisha, National Workshop on NCD in Hyderabad and National Workshop on
SickleCell Anaemia inBhopal.
Training for Healthcare workforce and frontline health workers is regularly organized and
planned in a cascade model. Further, trainings are also organized and conducted by States/UTs
through itsown funds.
(b): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launche various digital initiatives. One of the
major initiative is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM ), it was launched in September
2021. ABDM aims to create an online platform enabling interoperability of health data within
the health ecosystem. The aim of this mission is to create an Electronic Health Record (EHR) of
every citizen. ABDM envisages to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated
digital health infrastructure of the country. The core components of the Mission include
Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) for citizens, Health Professional Registry (HPR),
Health Facility Registry (HFR) and ABHAApplication. The digital health ecosystem created by
ABDM supports continuity of care across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare in a
seamless manner.
Ministry of HealthandFamily Welfare(MoHFW) hasfurther rolledout Telemedicine services as
a policy intervention under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat Scheme through eSanjeevani-
(National Telemedicine Service). eSanjeevani is a significant step toward digital health equity,
aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It is implemented in two variants: (i)
eSanjeevani AB-HWC / Ayushman Arogya Mandir– a provider-to-provider telemedicine
platform, developed in 2019 and (ii) eSanjeevani OPD– a patient-to-provider telemedicine
platform,developedin2020.
(c) & (d): A baseline study was commissioned by the Government of India in 2019-2020 to
understand the impact of AB-PMJAY. The study inter-alia recommended strategies to increase
awareness of the scheme, addressing barriers in accessing healthcare services to ensure that
beneficiaries receive specialized care timely, replicating experiences from other settings like
dedicated staff to guide and assist beneficiaries, establishing communication and feedback
channels to allow beneficiaries to voice their concerns. In alignment with recommendations of
the study, NHA launched awareness campaigns. Dedicated personal know as Pradhan Mantri
Arogya Mitras (PMAMs) are deployed at empanelled hospitals to guide beneficiaries and
facilities access toservices. PMJAYkiosks have also been installedat hospitals as the first point
of contact, facilitating awareness and overall support. A national helpline number 14555 also
provide assistance andaddresses allqueries relatedtothe scheme.
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