Access to affordable and equitable healthcare is one of the fundamental right of every citizen. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, devised schemes to make health insurance a reality for the common people. Health is indeed the most precious asset, as the people are the heart and soul of a nation. The Government’s approach during the COVID pandemic was unprecedented, without having any prior knowledge. It took a leader par excellence to take bold decisions like creating indigenous vaccines and distributing at the earliest manner to the majority and free of cost.

Ayushman Bharat was launched to ensure easier access and affordability for all. It is a giant leap for India toward achieving affordable healthcare. It was designed with a commitment to benefit all and leave no one behind. It adopts a care-centric approach toward its citizens and has two major, interrelated components. It provides three types of care, prevention, promotion, and ambulatory care, across all levels of the health sector. The first component is Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) which aim to provide primary healthcare needs to the entire population. The second component is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), which was launched in 2018. Under this scheme, a health cover of Rs.5 lakhs per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across public and private empanelled hospitals in India. Over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families are eligible for this scheme. It is a cashless treatment scheme. A total of 23.19 crore Ayushman cards have been issued, and it has a network of 25,969 government and 11,700 private healthcare providers.

In addition, an entire ecosystem of advanced and affordable healthcare was formulated by the current government. More than 9,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendra are there across the country, saving almost Rs. 20,000 crore for poor and middle-class families by providing them medicines at a minimal cost. In addition, innovative digital health schemes like E-Sanjivani OPD, a teleconsultation platform introduced in 2019. The healthcare system became more accessible with the opening of critical healthcare services in small cities. This helps the screening of diseases like diabetes and heart problems earlier and near one's home, and the establishment of cancer centres across the country further helps the population to fight against this fatal disease.

One's right to life is not entirely realized without affordable and inclusive healthcare. The government has moved one step towards achieving social security by introducing a range of schemes that mainly cover accidental deaths and other causes. In this context, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) is a flagship scheme of the government launched in 2015 to provide one-year life issuance for anyone in the age group of 18-50. It is renewable from year to year, and people above the age of 55 need to pay a regular premium. This will benefit with a life cover of Rs. 2 lakhs in case of death against a premium of 436 per annum. The total enrolment under the scheme has been more than 16.19 crore, and an amount of Rs. 13,290.40 crore has been paid for 6,64,520 claims. Another scheme named Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) provided renewable accidental insurance schemes for the age group of 18 to 70 with a minimal amount of 20 rupees per annum. This insurance scheme will give a cover of Rs. 2 lakhs. More than 34.18 crore have enrolled, and a total of Rs. 2,302.26 crore has been paid against 1,15,951 claims. Such schemes provide much-needed relief to families who lost their dear ones due to accidents. Schemes targeting the healthcare and well being of women were created. This helped in increasing the number of institutionalised birth in the last nine years. Scheme such as Mission Indradhanush ensure vaccination of babies which helped in improving several health care indicators. PM Modi’s push for women healthcare resulted in India’s first indigenously vaccine against cervical cancer.

After the pandemic, every country has realized that healthcare is the backbone of any country. Under the leadership of PM Modi, India is working towards attaining overall wellness. Access and Affordability to healthcare has become the cornerstone of these schemes. India today has set a new benchmark in providing equitable and inclusive healthcare serving the last mile. Now, India puts forward the vision of 'One Earth One Health'.