West Bengal Government announced that 16 August will now be observed as ‘Ayushman Diwas’, replacing the earlier ‘Khela Hobe Diwas’. The decision aims to promote awareness about the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), distance the state from political symbolism associated with the previous government, and mark the 100th day of the new BJP administration.
The government stated that the observance will focus on public health awareness and welfare, replacing a politically associated event with a healthcare-oriented initiative.
Ayushman Diwas
It will be observed annually on 16 August in West Bengal to promote awareness regarding the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and encourage eligible beneficiaries to avail of cashless healthcare services.
Reasons Behind the Decision
Promote Healthcare Awareness
The primary objective is to:
- Increase awareness about Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY).
- Inform eligible families about: Health insurance benefits, Cashless hospitalization, Eligibility criteria.
- Improve utilization of government healthcare schemes.
Political Disassociation
- The previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had introduced ‘Khela Hobe Diwas’ in 2021.
- It was observed to celebrate the party’s Assembly election victory and promote youth sports.
- The new government replaced it to shift focus from political symbolism to public welfare and healthcare.
Historical Significance
The government also highlighted that 16 August carries historical importance as it marks the anniversary of the Great Calcutta Killings (Direct Action Day), 1946, one of the deadliest communal riots during British India.
The state considers Ayushman Diwas a positive and welfare-oriented observance that replaces both:
- Political connotations associated with Khela Hobe Diwas, and
- The tragic historical memory attached to the date.
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
It is the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, launched by the Government of India to provide financial protection against catastrophic health expenditure.
It aims to ensure universal access to quality secondary and tertiary healthcare for economically vulnerable families. National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for implementing AB-PMJAY,
Launch
- Launched: 23 September 2018
- Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Implementing Agency: National Health Authority (NHA)
Key Features
- Provides health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year.
- Covers secondary and tertiary hospitalization.
- Cashless and paperless treatment at empanelled public and private hospitals.
- No restriction on family size, age, or gender.
- Covers more than 1,900 medical procedures, including: Diagnostic, Surgeries, Day-care treatments, Medicines.
- Benefits are portable across India, allowing treatment at any empanelled hospital.
Beneficiaries
- Based primarily on Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data for rural and urban deprived families.
- Covers economically vulnerable households across the country.
Components of Ayushman Bharat
Ayushman Bharat consists of two major pillars:
1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
- Financial protection through health insurance.
- ₹5 lakh annual coverage per eligible family.
2. Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Earlier Health & Wellness Centres)
- Comprehensive primary healthcare.
- Preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative healthcare services.
- Focus on:
- Non-communicable diseases.
- Maternal & child health.
- Mental health.
- Elderly care.
- Free essential drugs and diagnostics.