Tripura nears universal Ayushman Bharat coverage with over 22 lakh approvals under AB PMJAY. Senior citizens, tribal groups, and frontline workers see near-total inclusion, while PVC card distribution challenges persist amid strong healthcare expansion efforts.
Tripura has achieved a major milestone in public healthcare delivery, nearing universal coverage under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). Official data released on Thursday shows that the state has approved almost every application submitted for eKYC verification, reflecting a strong administrative push toward healthcare inclusion.
As of Thursday afternoon, 22,24,995 residents had applied for eKYC verification under the scheme. Out of these, 22,24,878 applications were successfully cleared. Only 36 applications were rejected, while 81 remain pending review. Additionally, 572 cases have been marked as delivered. However, authorities clarified that physical PVC Ayushman card distribution is not currently operational in the state, as no empanelled agency has yet been appointed for card printing and delivery.
The scheme’s outreach has been particularly significant among vulnerable communities. Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), 13,958 individuals from 12,444 families submitted applications. Of these, 13,882 have already been approved, with only 76 applications pending. This indicates substantial penetration of the health insurance initiative among historically marginalized populations.
Frontline workers have also seen strong coverage. ASHA, Anganwadi, and Anganwadi Helper (AWH) staff collectively submitted 32,897 applications. Of these, 32,889 have been approved, demonstrating near-total inclusion of grassroots healthcare and nutrition workers under the program.
Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) represent another significant beneficiary group. A total of 85,978 applications were filed from 35,048 families, with 85,952 approvals already granted. This near-universal sanction rate underscores the state’s focus on extending financial health protection to labor-intensive sectors.
Senior citizens above the age of 70 have also benefited significantly. Out of 50,773 applications received, 50,770 have been approved, marking nearly complete coverage in this age group.
At the national level, the scheme has generated 35.69 crore Ayushman cards over the past five years, facilitating 5.77 crore hospital admissions in private facilities at an expenditure of Rs 1.15 lakh crore. These figures were shared in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav.
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Tripura’s performance aligns closely with the national objective of universal health coverage. While logistical issues such as PVC card distribution remain unresolved, officials emphasize that digital verification and eligibility activation are fully functional. With approval rates nearing 100 percent across categories, Tripura stands on the brink of achieving comprehensive healthcare security for its residents under AB PMJAY.
