Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Harsh Vardhan recently made a statement to the media about establishing 1.5 lakh health centres in India by December 31, 2022. Addressing a press conference on September 17, Vardhan asserted than more than 45 lakh people have been treated under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. In the past year, poor people across the country have been rehabilitated under the scheme introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi introduced the scheme in an effort to help deprived rural families along with the identified occupational category of urban workers families.

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Harsh Vardhan on Ayushman Bharat

Doctor Vardhan spoke of the Ayushman Bharat scheme stating that Rs 70,500 crore has been spent in an effort to treat 45 lakh citizens of the country. He stated that 40,000 health facilities will be established by March 31, this fiscal. The Union Minister further added that a crucial aspect of the scheme is that its benefits are transferable across the country. The beneficiary can visit any empanelled public or private hospital to receive cashless treatment.

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'Within one year, under the Ayushman Bharat, more than 45 lakh poor people have been treated. 18,073 hospitals have been empanelled and more than Rs 70,500 crore has been spent.' he stated. 

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Ayushman Bharat Scheme

The Ayushman Bharat Scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to a family per year. The money is to be used for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. The scheme also aims to establish 1,50,000 health and wellness centres to bring health care closer to the homes of the ailing people. President Kovind in the past speaking of the scheme stated that Ayushman Bharat is an endeavour to provide affordable treatment, with medicines at inexpensive rates. These health centres are touted to yield treatment for various diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and old age-related ailments. 

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(With ANI inputs)