In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election, India is set to launch a comprehensive health program titled “Ayushman Bhava.” The initiative, scheduled to run from September 17 to October 2, encompasses a range of beneficiary schemes aimed at improving healthcare access and services across the country. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the program on September 11, with its commencement coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and concluding on Gandhi Jayanti, celebrated on October 2 as “Seva Pakhwada.”
During this two-week program, the government will implement various beneficiary schemes across India, targeting healthcare improvements. One of the key milestones is the declaration of “Ayushman gram” or “Ayushman villages” on October 2, signifying the complete eradication of tuberculosis and leprosy and the issuance of 100 percent COVID-19 verification cards.
The Ayushman Bhava program includes the organization of an Ayushman Mela, set to take place at over a lakh health and wellness centers. These centers will diagnose and treat individuals from poor and middle-class backgrounds. Additionally, block-level hospitals and medical colleges will conduct health camps on their premises to expand the reach of healthcare services.
To further enhance the impact of the program, a nationwide cleanliness drive or “Swacchta Abhiyaan” will be initiated, covering healthcare institutions such as hospitals and dispensaries.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s announcement of the Ayushman Bhava program comes amid vigorous campaigning for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Prime Minister Modi seeks a third term. The initiative aims to ensure the effective delivery of healthcare schemes, particularly in remote areas, with three major components: distribution of Ayushman cards, the Ayushman Mela health campaign, and awareness meetings like “Ayushman Sabha.”
The Seva Pakhwara, a 16-day campaign within Ayushman Bhava, will feature various activities, including blood donation camps and organ donation registration drives, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services across India.
