‘Ayushman Bhava’ Campaign from PM Modi’s Birthday on Sept 17

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry will take up the ‘Ayushman Bhava’ campaign on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17, informed Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday.

Explaining why the Centre opted to run the campaign on September 17, Mandaviya said, “PM Modi guaranteed free medical assistance worth 5 lakh to 60 crore people. He has worked for the benefit of the exploited and deprived population and for women under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. So we decided to run the ‘Ayushman Bhava’ from September 17.”

Ayushman Bharat is the Centre’s flagship scheme implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA).

The ‘Ayushman Bhava’ campaign will continue for a fortnight to end on October 2. It will include Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0 aimed at creation and distribution of Ayushman cards to all remaining eligible beneficiaries, Ayushman Mela as part of which weekly health melas, and Ayushman Sabha, a village/ward level meeting to enhance awareness about various health care schemes and services.

Mandaviya said during this campaign, around 60,000 people will be given Ayushman Bharat cards. An online organ donation pledge registry will be initiated during the ‘Sewa Pakhwada’ or the fortnight of the campaign. A 24×7 toll free helpline number — 1800114770 — is functional for providing any guidance related to the pledging process or information on organ donation.