Ayushman Bharat emerges as blueprint for nations seeking to build equitable health systems: Report
New Delhi, June 25
India's Ayushman Bharat model is increasingly seen as a reference point for nations seeking to build equitable, financially sustainable health systems.
The reforms made in the health sector over the past 10 years have positioned India as a leading example in the global pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emerging as a potentially scalable model for low- and middle-income countries of the Global South, a report has detailed.
Ayushman Bharat, a health initiative launched by the Government of India, integrates financial protection, strengthening primary healthcare, digital innovation, and pharmaceutical self-reliance. According to a report in Kuwait-based The Times Kuwait, this initiative is at the centre of the country's transformation.
The flagship insurance component, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), is the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme. It provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care. More than 7.8 crore hospital admissions have been facilitated through PMJAY since its launch in 2018. Recently, coverage was extended to all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
The healthcare infrastructure under Ayushman Bharat has witnessed large-scale expansion through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). These centres provide a comprehensive range of services spanning preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care, bringing healthcare closer to communities and strengthening primary care delivery.
Digital integration has played an important role in increasing people's access to healthcare. Over 426 million teleconsultations were conducted through AAMs in 2025, while the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has set up over 863 million digital health accounts, leading to secure, interoperable health records, according to the report.
India has launched the Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) initiative, which provides equitable, accessible, affordable and quality mental health care through 24X7 tele-mental health services.
Furthermore, schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and AMRIT pharmacies have reduced medicine prices, improving affordability for millions.
The Times Kuwait report noted that experts believe Ayushman Bharat represents a structural shift in healthcare governance. It combines decentralised primary care, large-scale insurance coverage, and digital health infrastructure within a unified rights-based framework. This integrated model is increasingly seen as a reference point for countries seeking to build equitable, financially sustainable health systems.
By embedding healthcare within a rights-based and technology-driven architecture, India's approach demonstrates that UHC can be achieved even in resource-constrained settings, provided there is strong political commitment and system-wide reform. The model's emphasis on prevention, affordability, and inclusivity positions it as a potential blueprint for the Global South, where governments continue to face challenges in balancing limited resources with growing healthcare demands, the report added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who works in a rural health centre near my village in Karnataka, I can vouch for the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. They've reduced our travel to district hospital by 50%. Teleconsultation is a game-changer for pregnant women and elderly patients. But implementation still needs improvement - some centres lack medicines consistently.
Impressive numbers! 426 million teleconsultations is mind-boggling. Coming from the US where healthcare is a nightmare of bills and insurance battles, India's model looks revolutionary. The digital health accounts especially could be a blueprint for Africa. Respect to India for thinking big with limited resources.
Good initiative no doubt, but let's not get carried away. The coverage of ₹5 lakh per family is insufficient for major illnesses like cancer or heart surgery where costs can easily cross ₹10-15 lakh. Also, many private hospitals refuse to treat PMJAY patients or give them substandard care. We need more accountability and higher coverage limits.
The Tele MANAS initiative is so underrated! My cousin in rural UP used it for anxiety counselling during lockdown. She said the counselor was empathetic and didn't judge her. Mental health is still taboo in many Indian households, so having a 24x7 helpline that's free and anonymous is huge. Kudos to the team behind this! 🧠💪
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