India has come a long way in providing healthcare facilities to its citizens. With the growing population and increasing healthcare costs, the government of India has introduced various health schemes to cater for the healthcare needs of all sections of society. The government health programmes in India strive to offer accessible, affordable and high-quality healthcare services to the people. In this article, we will explain some of the best government health schemes in India and the benefits of government schemes.

What are Government Health Schemes?

The Indian government has launched various health schemes to provide affordable and accessible healthcare services to its citizens. These schemes cater to the healthcare needs of people from different income groups, including those living in rural areas and economically weaker sections. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), and National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) are some of the most popular health systems in India.

These schemes aim to improve the population's health outcomes and reduce the burden of healthcare expenses on individuals and families. The administration continues implementing new healthcare initiatives to develop the country's healthcare infrastructure and achieve universal healthcare access for all.

Types of Government Health Schemes

The Indian government has initiated several healthcare initiatives for various segments of society. Let us look at some of India's most well-known government healthcare schemes:

• Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY): The Ayushman Bharat Yojana, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), was launched in September 2018. It is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. This scheme currently serves over 10.74 crore families and aspires to serve over 50 crore individuals.
  
• Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY): The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana is a government-funded health insurance scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. This scheme provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 30,000 per annum for hospitalisation expenses to BPL families.
  
• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS): The Central Government Health Scheme provides comprehensive healthcare services to employees and their dependents. This scheme has over 35 lakh beneficiaries and covers 71 cities across India. The terms and conditions of this plan encompass both hospitalisation and domiciliary care. The Central Government Health Insurance Scheme includes both allopathy and homoeopathy.
  
• Employees' State Insurance Scheme (ESIS): The Employees' State Insurance Scheme was launched in 1952. It provides medical care and monetary benefits to employees of factories and organisations covered under the scheme. This scheme applies to factories and institutions with ten or more employees. Previously, only Delhi and Kanpur were covered under this scheme, but the scheme's reach grew over time. This policy was revised in 2015. This scheme now includes almost 7 lakh factories.
  
• Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY): Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana was launched by the Indian government's Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2008. This programme provides health insurance coverage to those living below the poverty line. The scheme covers pre-existing conditions and provides cashless hospitalisation for up to INR 30,000 per family per year.
  
• Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY): The Aam Aadmi Bina Yojana (AABY) is a government scheme designed for individuals working in specific professions like fishing, carpentry, handloom weaving, and more. In total, 48 such occupations qualify for this program. Previously, there were two similar policies, AABY and Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY), until they were merged in 2013. To qualify for this insurance policy, the applicant must be the head of the family or an earning member of a family that is around the poverty line and working in one of the eligible vocations. The premium for a Rs. 30,000 policy is Rs. 200 per year.

Benefits of Government Health Schemes

Government health programmes in India offer several advantages to individuals. Let us discuss some of the benefits of government health schemes in India:

• Access to Quality Healthcare: One of the fundamental advantages of government health schemes is that they provide access to quality healthcare to all sections of society. These schemes aim to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of healthcare services in the country.
• Financial Protection: The government health systems safeguard citizens financially from the high cost of healthcare. These plans cover hospitalisation costs and medical treatments, reducing the financial load on families.
• Preventive Healthcare: The government of India also promotes preventive healthcare through various health camps, awareness campaigns, and health check-ups. This helps in the early detection of diseases and timely treatment.
• Affordable Healthcare: Government health programmes provide inexpensive healthcare to all segments of society, particularly the poor and marginalised. These programmes ensure that no one is left behind in terms of healthcare.
• Improved Healthcare Infrastructure: The government health schemes also aim to improve the healthcare infrastructure in the country. The government has invested heavily in healthcare to provide better facilities and equipment in government hospitals and clinics.

The government health schemes in India have played a significant role in improving the healthcare system in the country. These schemes have provided access to quality healthcare services to all sectors of society, especially the poor and the marginalised. The benefits of government health schemes in India are numerous, including financial protection, preventive healthcare, and affordable healthcare services. It is essential to create awareness about these schemes to ensure that every citizen of the country can avail of their benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can avail the benefits of government health schemes in India?

Government health schemes are available to all citizens of India, including the poor and marginalised sections of society, central government employees, and employees of factories and institutions covered under the Employees' State Insurance Scheme.

What is Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

Ayushman Bharat Yojana, commonly known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), is a government health insurance scheme in India that provides up to Rs 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation to around 500 million people.

How can I check if I am eligible for a government health scheme in India?

Eligibility criteria for government health schemes vary depending on the scheme. You can check the eligibility criteria and other details on the official website of the respective scheme or contact the nearest government hospital or clinic for more information.

Are government health schemes only for people with low incomes?

No, government health schemes in India are available to all citizens of India, irrespective of their income level. However, some schemes may have specific eligibility criteria based on income or other factors.

How do I apply for government healthcare schemes in India?

You can apply for a government health scheme in India by visiting the official website of the respective scheme or contacting the nearest government hospital or clinic. Depending on the scheme, the application process may differ.