Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Ayushman Bharat Launched in West Bengal, CM Says Committed to Health
West Bengal started a big health program called Ayushman Bharat.
It helps people get treatment for many diseases, including knee replacement.
The Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, said this is a historic day for healthcare.
The first patient was registered at a hospital in Bankura.
About 6 crore people in the state can get help from this program.
Everyone over 70 years old will get benefits.
The state also started its own health plan for 80 lakh people.
They will open special medicine shops with big discounts.
This program was started by the central government in 2018 but was not used in West Bengal before.
Ayushman Bharat was launched in West Bengal on Sunday at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium.
The scheme covers treatment for 1,950 diseases, including knee replacement surgery.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the first patient registration at Medicare General Hospital in Bankura's Kotulpur.
About 1 crore 43 lakh families, or roughly 6 crore residents, will benefit from Ayushman Bharat, with all residents above 70 years covered.
The state also launched the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme for 80 lakh residents and 'Amrit Pharmacy' in 10 hospitals offering 50-80% discounts.
- Who
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee, and Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel
- What
- Launch of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and the state's Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme
- When
- Sunday afternoon
- Where
- Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indoor Stadium, West Bengal
- Why
- To provide accessible, cashless healthcare and ensure financial constraints do not prevent quality medical treatment
Previous Trinamool Congress Government
Current BJP Government
Health scheme implementation
Previous Trinamool Congress Government
The previous government ran the Swasthya Sathi scheme, which initially offered knee replacement but faced allegations of irregularities and was closed, then relaunched with conditions.
Current BJP Government
The current government launched Ayushman Bharat and the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme, expanding coverage to 1,950 diseases and restoring knee replacement benefits.
Service quality
Previous Trinamool Congress Government
The previous government's Swasthya Sathi scheme had frequent complaints about services, including problems getting beds.
Current BJP Government
The current government claims a dual health insurance scheme ensures accessible, cashless healthcare without financial barriers.
- Scheme
- Ayushman Bharat (central) and Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme (state)
- Diseases covered
- 1,950 types
- Beneficiaries (Ayushman Bharat)
- 1 crore 43 lakh families, about 6 crore residents
- Beneficiaries (state scheme)
- 80 lakh residents
- Age coverage
- All residents above 70 years
- Hospitals
- 38,604 across the country
- Amrit Pharmacy
- 10 government hospitals, 50-80% discount
- First registration
- Medicare General Hospital, Bankura's Kotulpur