Universal health coverage

Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care across the life course. Achieving UHC is one of the targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015.

India has made significant strides toward achieving UHC by implementing several policies, programmes, and infrastructure development initiatives. The National Health Policy (2017) laid the foundation for UHC with a goal to increase public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.

One of the most notable programmes supporting UHC is Ayushman Bharat, launched in 2018, which has two major components: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), now renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs).

PMJAY is the world’s largest government-funded health assurance scheme, providing free secondary and tertiary healthcare services of up to INR 500 000 per family per year in empanelled hospitals. The beneficiaries initially included 550 million India’s most vulnerable populations, but PMJAY was expanded in October 2024 to include around 60 million seniors aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status. At the same time, more than 150 000 primary healthcare facilities were upgraded into comprehensive care units that offer preventive, promotive, and primary healthcare services.

India’s Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana provides access to quality generic medicines at lower costs through Janaushadhi Kendras nationwide. National Digital Health Mission, also known as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, creates a unique health ID called Ayushman Bharat Health Account for every citizen for seamless access to medical records and improving healthcare delivery.

The PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (2020) aims to expand critical care and public health infrastructure, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

With sustained investment and innovation, India is progressing towards achieving UHC and improving health outcomes nationwide.