Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has urged the Chief Ministers of Delhi, Odisha, Telangana and West Bengal to join Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

In a letter written to the CMs, Dr Harsh Vardhan said, 32 states and Union Territories have accepted the scheme running successfully in providing financial protection to crores of people. The Health Minister made it clear that financial resources will be made available to the States with adequate flexibility in the spirit of cooperative federalism.

Dr Harsh Vardhan also spoke with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Dr Harsh Vardhan said, he will also speak to Chief Minister of Telangana K. Chandrashekar Rao. He said, it is important that the benefits of the visionary scheme like Ayushman Bharat should reach all deprived and vulnerable people in the country.

Under the health protection scheme, over 10.7 crore families from poor and vulnerable section will get the health cover of five lakh rupees annually for treatment.