Chief Secretary Reviews PM-JAY SEHAT Progress in J&K, Focuses on Long-Term Sustainability

SRINAGAR, MAY 12— Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired the Governing Council Meeting of the State Health Agency today to conduct a comprehensive review of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY SEHAT scheme’s implementation across Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting J&K’s status as a leader in universal healthcare, the Chief Secretary noted that the scheme has provided critical financial relief and cashless medical services to lakhs of beneficiaries, particularly those from vulnerable sections.

During the current policy period, the program has approved over 4.08 lakh pre-authorizations totaling nearly Rs 775 crore, with public sector hospitals playing a dominant role by accounting for over Rs 515 crore of those treatments.

To ensure the scheme remains viable, the meeting explored future financial restructuring and a potential shift between Insurance and Trust modes to manage annual expenditures effectively.

Emphasizing the need for transparency and timely claim settlements, Chief Secretary Dulloo directed officials to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and further reinforce public healthcare infrastructure.

The Governing Council discussed upcoming reforms for “Policy Period-9,” which include rationalizing the Health Benefit Package and optimizing rates in specific specialties to improve operational efficiency.

By balancing high-end medical care with fiscal responsibility, the administration aims to preserve the gains of the PM-JAY SEHAT framework while ensuring it remains a responsive and sustainable pillar of the Union Territory’s healthcare system.