Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described Ayushman Bharat scheme as one of the revolutionary steps of New India and asserted that no person in the country should be deprived of modern health services.

He said, the scheme is not only playing an important role in saving the lives of ordinary people but it is also a symbol of the collective resolve and strength of 130 crore people of the country.

Mr. Modi was addressing the valedictory function of Arogya Manthan, an event organized to mark the completion of one year of Ayushman Bharat, PM-JAY in New Delhi today.

The Prime Minister said, the Ayushman Bharat ensures the medical treatment to patients from all over the country, which was impossible earlier.

He added that around 50 thousand beneficiaries have availed its benefits outside of their home states in the last one year.

Mr. Modi said, the demand for health services under the scheme is increasing. He said, out of 18 thousand hospitals which provide benefit to the people under this scheme, around ten thousand are private hospitals.

The Prime Minister said, efforts are on to make Ayushman Bharat foolproof and bring about improvements to serve the people better.

He said that according to one estimate, due to demand arising out of the scheme in the next 5-7 years, 11 lakh new jobs will be created.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi launched a new mobile application of Ayushman Bharat, PM-JAY and Ayushman Bharat Start-Up Grand Challenge.  He also released a commemorative stamp and interacted with select beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.

The purpose of Arogya Manthan was to provide a platform to meet all important stakeholders of PM-JAY and discuss challenges faced in the implementation of the scheme in the past year.

It was also aimed at forging a new understanding and create pathways towards improving implementation.