Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the progress made by all States including Jammu and Kashmir in the implementation of two major national flagship Health Programmes – Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanaushadhiPariyojana.Chairing 29thinteraction through PRAGATI – the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, Prime Minister specifically asked the Chief Secretary J&K, BVR Subrahmanyam as to why, the State was lagging behind in the implementation of Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanaushadhiPariyojana. Chief Secretary informed the Prime Minister that implementation of Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya JanaushadhiPariyojana has been speeded up in the last two months. The MoU with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has been signed. The State Health Agency under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary with representatives of all departments has been set up along with the Executive Committee and 22 District Implementation Units. A full time CEO for this programme will be posted shortly. A Saving Bank Account has been opened for the purpose of this programme.
Chief Secretary further informed the Prime Minister that the tendering process for selecting the insurer for the programme has begun and the tender has been issued on 25.08.218. The tendering process will be completed and the tender will be awarded by 24.09.2018, he said and added that the pilot launch of the programme including the beneficiaries’ identification system will begin at the Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu and JLNM Hospital, Srinagar by 07.09.2018.The Prime Minister was informed by the Chief Secretary that the State will complete the selection of the insurer in time for the national launch of the programme and will not lag behind in any way.Regarding JanaushadhiPariyojana Programme, the Prime Minister was assured by the Chief Secretary that the 6 remaining uncovered districts of Jammu and Kashmir will also be covered under the Programme and Jan Aushadhi Shops will be opened in these 6 districts by 30.09.2018. This will benefit huge population who can then access low cost medicines at 20-50% of market prices.