Limitations of PM-JAY
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) only covers secondary and tertiary hospital care, not outpatient services, diagnostics, or medicines.
The scheme is inadequate for managing chronic diseases, which often require frequent outpatient visits and ongoing medication.
The scheme has low penetration in smaller cities and towns, especially outside southern states.
A significant portion of the funds under PM-JAY is spent at private hospitals, potentially undermining the public health system.
Need for Stronger Primary and Secondary Health Care
Strengthening primary care is crucial as most elderly health expenses are for outpatient services, which PM-JAY does not cover.
Improved primary and secondary care is needed to manage chronic diseases and prevent their progression, reducing the need for costly tertiary care.
Robust public primary and secondary health care can reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals and improve overall health outcomes.
A well-developed primary and secondary care system can prevent overload on tertiary care and reduce dependency on expensive insurance-based models.
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