In a continued effort to extend the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to eligible residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Health Department, in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, organized a PMJAY Card Creation Camp at the Panchayat Hall in Wimberlygunj on Monday. The initiative saw a promising turnout, with 75 Ayushman Cards generated for beneficiaries from various priority categories.
The camp aimed to raise awareness about the AB-PMJAY scheme and ensure that eligible individuals are equipped with the necessary identification to access healthcare services. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, a flagship initiative of the Government of India, provides cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary medical care at empanelled hospitals across the country.
Beneficiaries who availed services at the Wimberlygunj camp belonged to specific eligible categories, including PHH (Priority Household) and AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) ration card holders. In addition, frontline workers such as Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), ASHA Workers, and senior citizens aged 70 years and above also participated in the camp. These groups have been identified as high-priority for PMJAY card generation under the national health protection mission.
Officials at the camp guided beneficiaries on how to apply for the cards through both online and offline methods. Those unable to attend the camp were informed about alternative ways to generate their cards, including downloading the BIS 2.0 Ayushman Bharat app from the Google Play Store, visiting the official website https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in, or approaching the nearest health centre for support.
According to officials, the camp is part of a larger island-wide campaign to maximize coverage under the scheme. The Health Department emphasized the importance of timely card creation so that no eligible family misses out on accessing quality medical care during emergencies or planned hospitalizations.
The AB-PMJAY scheme has proven to be a game-changer in India’s public healthcare system, significantly reducing the financial burden of medical expenses on economically vulnerable families. With this recent camp in Wimberlygunj, the Health Department reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the remote and diverse communities of the Islands are not left behind in availing the benefits of national healthcare programs.
The authorities continue to encourage residents to spread the word and assist their community members in verifying their eligibility and completing the card generation process. Future camps are expected in other parts of the Islands to further the scheme’s reach.
