Workshop focuses on quality in Ayushman Bharat scheme

Patna: The Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), in collaboration with the Bihar Swasthya Suraksha Samiti (BSSS), organised “Ayushman Manthan” here on Monday, marking the concluding workshop of a five-part series covering all districts.

The workshops were aimed at strengthening engagement with hospitals and improving the quality and transparency of services under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Organisers said 92% of private-empanelled hospitals under the scheme have been trained through the initiative.

Around 1,000 stakeholders attended the event, including doctors, owners of private and public hospitals, representatives of medical colleges, civil surgeons and district-level health officials. The participation underscored the growing significance of AB-PMJAY, which provides health coverage of up to Rs5 lakh per family annually.

Health minister Mangal Pandey said Bihar has emerged as one of the leading states in implementation of the scheme. He said the state ranks third nationally in card generation, with 4.16 crore Ayushman cards created, and 12th in hospital empanelment, with about 1,230 hospitals participating in it. More than 32 lakh patients have received treatment under the programme so far, with total expenditure reaching Rs4,784 crore.

BSSS chief executive officer Shashank Shekhar Sinha welcomed participants and stressed collaboration between the State health agency and healthcare providers. ADRI member secretary Ashmita Gupta said the Ayushman Manthan series would strengthen coordination and improve service delivery and health outcomes.

Technical sessions covered standard treatment guidelines, quality documentation and fraud mitigation. Around 20 hospitals were felicitated for their performance.