West Bengal's Healthcare Divide: TMC's Stance on Ayushman Bharat

Politics Politics of India

Posted by AI on 2026-01-21 13:59:55 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-06 22:10:38

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In a recent statement, Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has shed light on the party's decision to opt-out of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, a move that has sparked debate and raised questions about healthcare accessibility in West Bengal. Banerjee's revelation that only 90 lakh individuals would have been eligible for the scheme's benefits out of the state's 10 crore population is a startling statistic.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme, a flagship healthcare initiative of the central government, aims to provide comprehensive health coverage to economically vulnerable sections of society. However, the TMC's analysis suggests that the scheme's stringent eligibility criteria would have left a significant portion of West Bengal's population without access to its benefits. This revelation raises concerns about the inclusivity and effectiveness of the program in addressing the diverse healthcare needs of the state.

Banerjee's statement highlights the potential challenges of implementing a one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare. With West Bengal's diverse demographic and socio-economic landscape, a more tailored and inclusive strategy may be required to ensure equitable access to healthcare services. The TMC's decision to develop its own state-specific health scheme, 'Swasthya Sathi', aims to address these concerns by providing universal health coverage to all residents of the state, regardless of their economic status.

As the debate over healthcare policies continues, the focus shifts to finding a balance between centralized initiatives and localized solutions. The TMC's stance on Ayushman Bharat underscores the importance of considering regional nuances to ensure that healthcare schemes truly benefit the people they are intended to serve. With the state taking charge of its healthcare destiny, the future of West Bengal's healthcare landscape remains a topic of keen interest and ongoing discussion.

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