New Delhi: In New Delhi, the National Health Authority (NHA) commenced a two-day National Review Meeting (Chintan Shivir) on Thursday to review the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The meeting was inaugurated by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
During the inaugural session, Jadhav released the National Health Authority (NHA) annual report and implementation guidelines. These were aimed at improving the implementation modalities, operational efficiency, and standardization of the program across states and union territories.
Addressing officials from the Centre and states, the Minister stated that Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has enabled cashless treatment worth over ₹1.91 lakh crore through a network of more than 37,000 empanelled hospitals, describing it as the world’s largest health assurance scheme. He also noted that the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has generated over 94 crore ABHA IDs and linked more than 100 crore digital health records, thereby strengthening India’s digital healthcare ecosystem.
In line with the vision of a digitally empowered healthcare system, Jadhav called for deep synergy between AB PM-JAY and ABDM to ensure easy access to healthcare, improved digital services, and better support for vulnerable sections of society.
Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Chief Executive Officer of the NHA, stated that despite the diversity of India’s healthcare system, the digital architecture of these two major schemes has enabled their effective implementation across the country. He urged states to strengthen data analytics, formulate evidence-based policies, and leverage new technologies, such as artificial intelligence to deliver better healthcare services.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation roadmap for digital health initiatives launched by the National Health Authority on June 29, 2026. These initiatives include Aarogya Setu 2.0, Ayushman App, Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot, e-Sushrut Clinic, Bharat Health Terminology Service (BHTS), Common LOINC Codes for India (CLCI), Drug Registry, Unified Health Interface (UHI), and National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX). The second day of the Chintan Shivir will deliberate on health financing, digital innovation and best practices under the Ayushman Bharat programmes.
(PIB)
