Increase Ayushman Bharat scheme coverage from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh per year: MP Dr C N Manjunath

New Delhi: Bengaluru Rural BJP Lok Sabha member Dr C N Manjunath on Monday urged the Centre to extend the Ayushman Bharat scheme coverage from the existing Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh per year for the entire family.

The scheme now includes people above the age of 70, who usually have multiple comorbidities and need frequent treatments. Increasing coverage amount would help them to get better treatment under the scheme, he said in Lok Sabha.

Raising the issue of shortage of doctors in rural areas, he said "There are approximately 19 lakh allopathic doctors and around 5 lakh Ayush doctors available; however, they are not willing to work in semi-urban/rural areas."

The government should enhance the salaries of doctors working in semi-urban/rural hospitals and incentivise MBBS doctors to work in rural hospitals, he said.

“One suggestion to consider is to give additional marks in the NEET-PG exam to MBBS doctors working in rural hospitals,” he said.