SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more than 4.08 lakh pre-authorisations under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the AB PM-JAY SEHAT scheme during the current policy period, according to official data reviewed on Tuesday.
The Governing Council of the State Health Agency (SHA), chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, assessed the performance of the flagship health schemes across the Union Territory. Senior officials from the Finance, Health and Medical Education, Planning, and Information Technology departments, along with heads of major medical institutions such as SKIMS and Government Medical Colleges in Srinagar and Jammu, attended the meeting.
A presentation by SHA Chief Executive Officer Ananth Dwivedi showed that between April 17, 2025 and April 16, 2026, the schemes involved expenditure of nearly Rs 775 crore. During the same period, over 3.86 lakh claims were submitted.
Officials said public sector hospitals accounted for a significant share of activity, with approvals worth more than Rs 515 crore processed in government facilities, indicating improved utilisation and growing capacity of public healthcare institutions.
The Chief Secretary said Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as one of the leading regions in implementing universal health coverage under the PM-JAY SEHAT scheme. The programme has enabled lakhs of beneficiaries, particularly from economically weaker sections, to access cashless treatment in both government and empanelled private hospitals.
He called for greater transparency, faster claim settlement, stronger monitoring systems, and continued efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure and expand beneficiary outreach.
The Council was also briefed on proposed reforms for the next policy cycle, including financial restructuring, revision of package rates in select specialties, and evaluation of insurance and trust-based models to ensure long-term sustainability while maintaining quality healthcare delivery and universal coverage.
