Guwahati, August 13 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state’s model of allowing public hospitals to retain and reinvest reimbursements received under the Ayushman Bharat‑Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB‑PMJAY) has been recognised by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare as a “highly pragmatic and replicable model.”
Sarma said the Committee has also recommended that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) to facilitate adoption of the model by public hospitals across the country.
Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the recognition of Assam’s initiative, describing it as a matter of pride for the state.
“I am pleased to learn that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health & Family Welfare has described Assam’s model of allowing public hospitals to retain and reinvest AB‑PMJAY reimbursements in infrastructure, medical equipment and patient welfare as a ‘highly pragmatic and replicable model’,” Sarma said.
He added that the Committee had recommended that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formulate SOPs enabling public hospitals nationwide to adopt the approach.
Sarma also expressed gratitude to Committee Chairman Ram Gopal Yadav and its members for acknowledging Assam’s efforts. “My sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Chairman Shri Ram Gopal Yadav Ji and the esteemed members of the Committee for recognising Assam’s efforts,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the recognition assumes significance as an initiative originating in Assam has now been identified as a model that could potentially be implemented on a wider scale across the country.
The approach involves allowing public healthcare institutions to retain reimbursements received under the government‑funded health assurance scheme and use the funds to strengthen hospital infrastructure, purchase medical equipment, and improve facilities and services for patients.
The recommendation by the Parliamentary panel could pave the way for greater financial flexibility for public hospitals, while also supporting improvements in healthcare delivery and infrastructure.
AB‑PMJAY is the Centre’s flagship health assurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection for eligible beneficiaries and reducing the burden of hospitalisation expenses.
Sarma said the recognition of Assam’s model was a significant achievement and reaffirmed the state Government’s efforts to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure.
–IANS
tdr/dan