‘Big help for poor’: Ayushman Bharat scheme brings free treatment, financial relief to thousands in Koderma

Koderma (Jharkhand), October 21 (IANS) The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is providing free medical treatment and much-needed financial relief to thousands of poor families in Jharkhand’s Koderma district.The government health scheme has emerged as a major support for patients suffering from serious illnesses, enabling them to undergo treatment without worrying about large hospital bills or falling into debt.The scheme is benefiting patients at government hospitals as well as empanelled private hospitals across the district. Many families who previously struggled to arrange money for surgeries and other critical treatments are now receiving cashless medical care under the programme.A young girl from Koderma, who was diagnosed with appendicitis, said, “I came here with a lot of pain and then came to know that I had appendicitis. The doctor informed us that the Ayushman card would help us get treatment free of cost. I got my card made, and now I am receiving treatment without paying anything.”She added, “This is very helpful for people whose financial condition is not good. You cannot suddenly arrange a large amount of money for treatment. This scheme is a great help, and I thank our Prime Minister for providing such useful schemes to the people. I hope it continues to grow.”Another beneficiary, Rahima Parveen, said, “I had severe stomach pain, so I came here for treatment. I was diagnosed with stones, and the total cost of treatment was estimated at around Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000. Later, I came to know that the Ayushman card could provide treatment free of cost. I got the card made, and now I am receiving complete treatment without paying anything. This card is beneficial for everyone, especially poor people.”“I would like to extend my thanks to the Prime Minister. This is a very big help for poor families,” she added.Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, an Ayushman card provides eligible families with free, cashless medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family every year. Beneficiaries can use the card at empanelled government and private hospitals across India.Relatives of patients admitted for serious illnesses and surgeries said the scheme had reduced the financial burden on their families. They said free treatment had brought relief at a time when arranging money for emergency medical care was extremely difficult.Koderma has several government hospitals and dozens of empanelled private hospitals where beneficiaries can avail treatment under the scheme. The initiative is helping poor families access timely healthcare while protecting them from heavy expenses and debt.