Impact of Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY on Rural Community

Description

Page: 549-553

Komal, Kiran Singh, Renu, and Sarita Devi (Department of Resource Management and Consumer Science, I.C. College of Community Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar, Haryana)

The Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY initiative, launched by the Government of India in 2018, aims to provide health insurance coverage to vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas, and reduce the financial burden of healthcare. This study explores the impact of the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY scheme on rural communities, with a focus on awareness levels and challenges faced by cardholders in the Hisar district of Haryana. A total of 30 participants (15 males and 15 females) were randomly selected for the study, with structured interviews conducted to gather data. The findings reveal that awareness is higher among males (80%) than females (46.6%) regarding the card’s benefits and coverage. Despite high satisfaction with treatment options, respondents face significant challenges, including lengthy paperwork, limited hospital beds, long waiting times, and difficulty locating hospitals that accept the card. These issues, combined with gender disparities in awareness, highlight the need for improved communication, better healthcare infrastructure, and streamlined administrative processes to enhance the scheme’s effectiveness in rural India.