Introduction

Following the Centre’s decision to extend health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers and helpers, the Health Ministry has initiated the process of enrollment.
The Health Ministry has received Aadhaar details of 23 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers and over three lakh ASHA workers from various states.

About Ayushman Bharat Scheme

	Details
Launch	2018, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
Aim	Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by providing promotive, preventive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative care.
Funding	Centrally Sponsored Scheme (expenditure shared between Central and State governments)
Coverage	Targets over 10 crore families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) based on SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census)
Implementing Agency	National Health Authority (NHA)
Components	Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) providing primary care services. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) offering health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year.
Coverage Details	Covers secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. Includes pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses. No restrictions on family size, age, or gender.
Portability of Benefits	Benefits are portable across the country, allowing cashless treatment at any empanelled public or private hospital in India.
Digital Overture	Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Launched in 2021 to provide Unique Digital Health IDs (UHID) for all Indian citizens, facilitating electronic access to health records.

Workforce: As of December 31, 2023, there were over 13 lakh Anganwadi workers and over 10 lakh Anganwadi helpers in the country, along with 9.83 lakh ASHAs in position.
Program Scale: India’s ASHA program is recognized as the world’s largest community volunteer program, operating across 35 states and union territories.
Role of ASHAs: The ASHA program serves as a vital component of community healthcare, facilitating access to care and playing a crucial role in the prevention and management of COVID-19.
Contribution Acknowledged: ASHAs have been recognized for their substantial contribution to improving access to care for communities and are integral to various community platforms under the National Health Mission.

Beneficiary Coverage: Currently, 55 crore individuals corresponding to 12 crore families are covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with some states/UTs expanding the beneficiary base at their own cost.
Enrollment and Hospital Admissions: The government has issued approximately 28.45 crore Ayushman cards, authorizing over 6.11 crore hospital admissions amounting to ₹78,188 crores.
Hospital Empanelment: A total of 26,901 hospitals, including 11,813 private hospitals, have been empanelled under AB-PMJAY to provide healthcare services to scheme beneficiaries.
Gender Equity: The scheme ensures gender equity in access to healthcare services, with women accounting for approximately 49% of Ayushman cards created and 48% of total authorized hospital admissions.

	Details
Launch Year	2005-06 as part of the National Rural Health Mission. Later extended to urban areas with the National Urban Health Mission in 2013.
Program Scope	Largest community health worker program globally, serving as health care facilitators, service providers, and health awareness generators.
Number of ASHAs	Over 10.52 Lakh ASHAs across all states/UTs (except Goa) as of June 2022.
Role	Provide maternal and child health services, family planning, and services under National Disease Control Programme.
Service Population	Serve populations of approximately 1,000 in rural areas and 2,000 in urban areas, with local adjustments based on workload.
Selection Criteria	Primarily women residents of the village, preferably aged 25 to 45. Literacy preferred and relaxed standards for tribal, hilly, or desert areas.
Employment Classification	Considered honorary/volunteer positions rather than government workers.

	Details
Initiation	Started by the Government of India in 1975 Part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Objective	To combat child hunger and malnutrition
Implementation	Centrally sponsored scheme implemented by States/UTs
Services Provided	Supplementary nutrition Pre-school non-formal education Immunization Health check-up Nutrition and health education Referral services
Beneficiaries	Identified based on Aadhaar