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DIMAPUR — The districts of Kohima, Phek, Zunheboto and Mon observed the sixth anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on Monday.
Kohima: In Kohima, the sixth anniversary of AB-PMJAY and the third anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) were celebrated at the DC conference hall.
According to a DIPR report, speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kohima, Dr. Imchatoshi, gave an overview of the PMJAY, which provides health insurance coverage of up to INR 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare.
The ABDM, on the other hand, aims to digitise healthcare systems, making medical records more accessible and integrating health services across the country, he said.
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In Kohima district, there are currently four empaneled public hospitals and five private hospitals under the scheme. Dr. Imchatoshi highlighted that Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) has the highest registration and transaction under PMJAY, with 2,558 patients treated and 1,601 beneficiaries registered.
Additionally, under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), the hospital registered 1,197 patients with 723 beneficiaries. However, Dr. Imchatoshi pointed out that many hospitals in the region need improvements in facilities, equipment, manpower, and infrastructure to meet the criteria for empanelment.
Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Kumar Ramnikant, congratulated the Health department and all stakeholders for the success of Ayushman Bharat PMJAY so far.
Ramnikant noted that as health challenges continue to evolve, many citizens, especially the underprivileged, remain trapped in poverty due to high out-of-pocket medical expenses, with healthcare accounting for up to 75% of their expenditures.
Ramnikant further urged village and colony leaders to support the Health department’s efforts in their areas to achieve 100% coverage and awareness of the scheme.
He also encouraged the community to provide feedback to help make the healthcare system more accessible and efficient.
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima was recognised as the best-performing hospital under PMJAY.
Phek: On the occasion of the anniversaries of AB-PMJAY and ABDM, Phek celebrated "Ayushman Pakhwada" from September 20 to the 30th.
As part of it, the district celebrated its anniversary on Monday while an Ayushman Bharat health check-up camp was held on September 28, as well as an essay competition for government higher secondary school students, according to an update.
The anniversary was celebrated at Dr. Wethselo T Mero Memorial Hall, District Hospital Phek, with John Tsulise Sangtam, DC Phek, and chairman of the District Implementation Unit (DIU) AB-PMJAY/Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), as the chief guest.
In his speech, the DC reiterated the duty to propagate information about the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY and CHMIS schemes, highlighting that many citizens have benefitted from them. He emphasised the need to reach out to all individuals who are to register.
At the programme, Dr. K Chitale Hiese, CMO, provided brief notes on the celebration of AB-PMJAY, outlining the benefits of the scheme. He also shared the number of beneficiaries generated and registered under the respective empaneled hospitals of Phek district.
Meanwhile, in the award ceremony, the best-performing empaneled hospital award was given to District Hospital Phek, which received a certificate handed over by the chief guest.
The top three winners of the essay competition were awarded cash prizes and certificates. The competition was based on the topic “Ayushman in Every Household, Every Household Ayushman.”
Zunheboto: The office of the CMO, in collaboration with DIU, AB-PMJAY, concluded the “Ayushman Pakhwada” celebrations at the District Hospital Zunheboto conference hall on Monday.
The event featured Rahul Bhanudas Mali, DC Zunheboto and chairman of DIU AB-PMJAY/CMHIS, as the chief guest.
In his address, Mali highlighted the scheme's impact, stating that over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families benefit from it, translating to around 55 crore individuals nationwide. He emphasised the importance of public awareness regarding the scheme’s benefits and urged the health department to improve communication for better access to services.
Dr. Antoly Suu, deputy CMO, reiterated the significance of Ayushman Bharat, encouraging eligible beneficiaries to utilise the scheme’s cashless healthcare services at empaneled hospitals. She also called on community leaders to promote awareness and ensure registration among their constituents.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Shikato Sema, district nodal officer for AB-PMJAY, who pointed out that PMJAY is the world’s largest government-financed health insurance scheme, offering INR 5 lakh coverage per family for hospitalisation in public and private hospitals.
Following the event, a free medical health camp was organised specifically for sanitation workers.
Mon: The anniversary in Mon was commemorated at the District Hospital Mon conference hall.
Dr. S Ngampa Sangme, nodal officer, AB-PMJAY/CMHIS of the hospital, spoke on the occasion about the journey of PMJAY/CMHIS at District Hospital Mon.
He stated that in 2018, the hospital encountered numerous obstacles due to a lack of funds to launch the scheme's services. With tremendous effort and care, the doctors and staff contributed money from their own pockets as a loan to buy medicines, IT equipment, power backup, consumables, and to hire additional staff.
The team organised beneficiary identification system (BIS) drives across Mon, working tirelessly to ensure that everyone received the card, he said.
He stated that the district hospital's unwavering efforts paid off in 2021 when it was recognised as the best-performing empaneled hospital in the district hospital category.
Stating that with increasing revenue, the hospital invested in improving services, Dr. Sangme noted that 80–90% of patients in the district now use PMJAY/CMHIS cards while seeking treatment.
Special invitee Tshelhiu, EAC Mon, requested all participants to spread the information, emphasising that this is the responsibility of all stakeholders, not just the hospital or administration.
Later, the District Hospital Mon was awarded the prize for the best empanelled hospital in the district. An essay writing competition for schools was also held, with Lemya Government Higher Secondary School finishing third, Yeangkap Edith Douglas School coming in second, and M Hongnaw Edith Douglas School winning first place.