Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to cover free testing and treatment of COVID -19

Making testing and treatment available under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY will significantly expand our capacities by including private sector hospitals and labs: Dr Harsh Vardhan

The Government of India has decided to make testing and treatment for COVID-19 available under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PM JAY). The testing and treatment of COVID -19 are already available for free in the public facilities. Now, over 50 crore citizens, eligible under the Government of India’s health assurance scheme will be able to avail free testing through private labs and treatment for COVID -19 in empanelled hospitals, informed a press release on behalf of the government.

The government will allow empanelled hospitals to use their own authorised testing facilities or tie-up with an authorised testing facility. These tests would be carried out as per the protocol set by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and by private labs approved/registered by ICMR. Similarly, treatment of COVID-19 by private hospitals will be covered under AB-PMJAY.

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare said, “In this unprecedented crisis we have to very actively involve the private sector as a key partner and stakeholder in the fight against COVID-19. Making testing and treatment available under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY will significantly expand our capacities by including private sector hospitals and labs and mitigate the adverse impact of this catastrophic illness on the poor.”

This decision comes with the objective to increase the supply of testing and treatment facilities and increase access to them by roping in the private sector through AB-PM JAY scheme. As per the ICMR guidelines for COVID-19 testing by private laboratories in India, the test is to be conducted by a laboratory which has NABL accreditation for real-time PCR assay for RNA virus. A laboratory test should be only offered when prescribed by a qualified physician for COVID-19 testing.

This decision also aims to attract more private sector players for providing testing and treatment for COVID-19. Active private sector involvement will be critical in case there is a surge in the number of COVID-19 patients that need care. States are in the process of enlisting private sector hospitals that can be converted into COVID-19 ONLY hospitals.

Information on symptoms, testing and treatment for COVID-19 can be accessed from the website of the MoHFW and by calling the national COVID-19 helpline 1075.