Patna: In an initiative to extend health insurance benefits to migrant labourers returning to Bihar for Diwali and Chhath Puja, camps will be set up at major Chhath Ghats and transit points to create Ayushman Bharat cards. These cards, part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, provide family health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, covering hospital bills for families enrolled in the scheme.
Starting October 26, the Bihar Health Security Committee established camps at bus stands, including Patna, Rajendra Nagar, Pataliputra, and Danapur railway stations, which will operate until November 8. Additionally, camps will be set up at key Chhath Ghats from November 4 to November 8, with the health department aiming to create 500 Ayushman cards daily at these locations. Five camps will be installed at major ghats, and each Gram Panchayat will also host a camp to further expand access.
According to government sources, these camps will provide on-the-spot card creation services along with awareness about the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Families enrolled under this scheme are eligible for free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, with costs covered by the government. More than 8 crore people from 1.79 crore families across Bihar qualify for this scheme, and as of this year, 2.70 crore Ayushman cards have been issued to beneficiaries.
The initiative was inaugurated by Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Saturday, with announcements through loudspeakers in villages to raise awareness. Ayushman cards are being made free of charge for eligible individuals at transit hubs, offering a convenient option for migrants.
To date, Bihar has issued Ayushman cards to 3.57 crore people across 1.50 crore families. Currently, 586 government and 435 private hospitals in the state provide free treatment to cardholders under this scheme, ensuring access to essential healthcare services for the state’s population.
