Ayushman Bharat Research Articles

Performance of health and wellness centre in providing primary care services in Chhattisgarh, India

IntroductionPrimary health care has regained its importance in global policy making. In 2018, the Government of India initiated the Ayushman Bharat - Comprehensive Primary Health Care (AB-CPHC) programme. It was based on upgrading the existing primary health facilities into Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs). The current study aimed to assess the readiness and performance of HWCs in providing comprehensive primary health care services in India’s Chhattisgarh state.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional health facility assessment with a state-representative sample of 404 HWCs. A standardized health facility survey tool was used to collect information on essential inputs and service outputs of HWCs. The expected population healthcare needs were estimated using secondary sources. The performance of HWCs was assessed by comparing the volume of services provided against the expected population need for outpatient care.ResultsOn an average, 358 outpatients including 128 non-communicable disease (NCD) patients were treated monthly at an HWC. HWCs were able to cover 31% of the total population’s health need for outpatient care, 26% for hypertension, and 21% for diabetes care. In addition to services for reproductive and child health, HWCs provided services for common acute ailments (cold, cough, fever, aches and pains); infections of skin, eye, ear, and reproductive tract, and minor injuries. HWCs were also contributing significantly to national disease control programmes. Acute ailments followed by NCDs and communicable diseases had the largest share among services provided. The key gaps were in coverage of mental illnesses and chronic respiratory diseases. Most of the HWCs showed adequate readiness for the availability of required human resources, supplies, and infrastructure.ConclusionHWCs were able to provide a comprehensive range of primary care services and able to cater to a sizable portion of the rural population’s acute and chronic health care needs. The performance was made possible by the adequate availability of medicines, staff, training programmes and tele-consultation linkages. If HWCs in other states are able to reach a similar level of performance, the initiative will prove to be a game changer for equitable primary care in India.

Navigating the landscape of cervical cancer in India: Epidemiology, prevention, current status, and emerging solutions.

Cervical cancer poses a significant health burden for women worldwide, particularly in India. Despite global progress, India's mortality rate, with 79 906 deaths, remains disproportionately high at approximately 11.2 per 100 000 women compared to the global average of 7.1 per 100 000 women. India's NPCDCS and other initiatives focus on VIA screening for women aged 30-65. The National Health Policy 2017 emphasizes primary healthcare enhancement, allocating two-thirds of the budget. Ayushman Bharat promotes universal health coverage, including Health and Wellness Centers and PM-JAY. Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the National Cancer Grid offer hope for improved cancer care. Leveraging technology, strengthening infrastructure, integrating services, promoting awareness, and enhancing HPV vaccination are crucial. By addressing barriers, improving access, and fostering collaboration, the cervical cancer burden can be reduced, ensuring better health outcomes for women nationwide.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and Digital Health among hospital patients

ABSTRACT Aim: The Government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to digitize the national healthcare system. The aim of this study was to estimate the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding the ABDM and benefits of digital health among urban patients, who are likely to be early adopters of digital technologies. Methods: We interviewed 150 outpatients above 18 years of age, in a hospital in urban Bengaluru, India. Our questionnaire captured the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding ABDM and Digital Health, including open-ended questions to evaluate perceptions of the benefits and concerns regarding digital health. Results: Most of the participants belonged to the upper and upper middle socioeconomic classes. Only 8% of participants knew about the ABDM, although their knowledge and practice related to other Government digital services, like National Teleconsultation services (eSanjeevani), Arogya Setu and DigiLocker, were high. Many participants perceived digital health to be beneficial, but there were serious concerns regarding data safety, data privacy and misuse of health data by insurance companies. Conclusion: We established a baseline survey for assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of ABDM and digital health among urban patients. The results suggest that implementation agencies of ABDM should increase the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and devise new strategies to create awareness, disseminate correct information and address the concerns of citizens.

India's Potential as a Leader in Cancer Care Progress in the Future: A Synthetic Interdisciplinary Perspective.

This paper comprehensively analyzes India's potential to become a leader in cancer care in the Global South, particularly in precision population cancer medicine (PPCM). Through an interdisciplinary lens, it examines the current landscape of cancer care in India, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in this domain. This review explores the concept of knowledge translation and its importance in bridging the gap between knowledge generation and implementation in medical sciences and applies this to the Indian healthcare scenario. The review then delves into India's technological prowess, exemplified by its digital health initiatives such as the CoWIN (winning over COVID-19) app and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which provide a strong foundation for leveraging advanced technologies in healthcare. The authors discuss India's pharmaceutical industry, often referred to as the "pharmacy of the world," emphasizing its crucial role in global drug manufacturing and distribution. It also examines the country's emerging genomic research landscape, including initiatives such as GenomeIndia and the Indian Cancer Genome Atlas Foundation, which are pivotal for advancing personalized medicine. A significant portion of the review is dedicated to analyzing India's clinical trial ecosystem. It traces the evolution of regulatory frameworks governing clinical research in the country and highlights recent reforms that have made India an increasingly attractive destination for global studies, the potential adoption of innovative trial designs and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analyses. Crucially, the authors confront the formidable obstacles inherent in India's complex healthcare landscape, illuminating the unique challenges that must be overcome. The review acknowledges India's underrepresentation in global clinical trials despite its large population and significant cancer burden. The issue of financial toxicity in cancer care is discussed, underscoring the need for affordable treatment options. The study also points out the nascent state of India's genomic databases, which account for only a small percentage of global genetic data. Despite these challenges, the authors posit that by effectively leveraging its information technology (IT) infrastructure, robust pharmaceutical sector, and large, diverse population, India has the potential to develop unique, country-specific solutions for cancer care. The study suggests that by fostering genomic research, strategically reforming its clinical trial ecosystem, and harnessing its digital capabilities, India could transform its cancer care landscape and emerge as a model for other developing nations in the Global South. In essence, this paper provides a roadmap for India's journey towards becoming a leader in PPCM, offering valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers in the field of oncology and precision medicine. Indeed, by using PPCM as a "pilot project," India can learn to use its new strategies to improve non-cancer care disease prevention, early detection, and improved and more cost-effective management. This approach could revolutionize cancer care in India and serve as a model for other developing nations in the Global South. By leveraging the strategies and technologies developed for PPCM, India could significantly enhance its healthcare system, highlighting the importance and urgency of improving cancer care in the region.

Digital health in your hands: A narrative review of exploring Ayushman Bharat's digital revolution

Background: “The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)” is a revolutionary initiative started in India in September 2021 that aims to digitalize the country's healthcare industry. Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, CoWIN App, Aarogya Setu, e-Sanjeevani, and e-Hospital provide healthcare services and facilities that reach every corner of India. This narrative review focuses on the mission's goals, objectives, innovations, significant features, progress, and worldwide scenery for digital health practices—India's healthcare scene by delivering universal health coverage and improving health outcomes. The assessment finds that ABDM is an important step toward a digitalized healthcare system that requires attention and assistance to overcome obstacles and reach its full potential. Methods: The research utilized various databases including Research Gate, PubMed, Google Scholar, and government portals to conduct a comprehensive literature review. This review article provides a critical analysis and offers essential suggestions, ideas, and recommendations for the effective and rapid implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Program. Furthermore, it includes information about the program's ability to transform India's healthcare sector and achieve universal health coverage. Conclusion: The revolutionary Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to digitalize India's healthcare industry. It has made major achievements in improving healthcare access, increasing system effectiveness, improving care quality, and promoting teamwork amongst stakeholders in the healthcare system. By implementing strong data privacy and security protocols and developing infrastructure for India's diverse population, ABDM can play a key role in achieving national health coverage and improving health outcomes. ABDM may be vital in attaining national health coverage and greatly enhancing health outcomes with persistent work and strategic assistance.

Sustaining Current Policies and Introducing New Initiatives: Strategic Five-year Plan for the Government of India

A review of key documents, including political manifestos and reports from NITI Aayog and WHO, outlines healthcare priorities for 2024-2029, aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and the UN SDGs. Key actions include expanding Universal Health Coverage through Ayushman Bharat, improving rural healthcare, addressing medical staff shortages, and leveraging digital health, telemedicine, and interoperable records. National missions targeting disease prevention, mental health, and non-communicable diseases aim to promote healthier lifestyles. Strengthening public health preparedness and health information systems, while promoting traditional medicine, is also essential. Expanding maternal and child health programs, increasing access via AB-PMJAY, ensuring quality through NQAS, and driving innovation with R&D funding are vital. Enhanced tobacco control through COTPA, higher taxes, and NTCP campaigns, along with investments in WASH infrastructure through Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan Missions, will improve health outcomes. Geriatric care, digitalisation, digital health, mental health, community health workers, and partnerships are critical. Initiatives like healthcare innovation hubs, mobile clinics, and health equity programs will build a resilient, inclusive healthcare system and improve national health.

Perception towards electronic health records & uptake of digital health IDs among the urban residents in northern India: A mixed methods study.

Background & objectives Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) envisages a unique digital health ID for all citizens of India, to create electronic health records (EHR) of individuals. The present study assessed the uptake of Digital Health IDs by the patient and general population, their attitude toward EHR, and explored the barriers to digital ID and utilizing electronic health records services. Methods A concurrent explanatory mixed methods study was undertaken in Chandigarh, India, with an analytical cross-sectional design as a quantitative part and a qualitative descriptive study. The study participants were 419 individuals aged ≥18 yr who attended the urban primary healthcare centre (n=399) and the community-based screening camps (n=20) between July 2021 and January 2022. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was undertaken to identify hidden sub-population characteristics. In-depth interviews were done to identify the barriers to health ID uptake. Results The digital health ID uptake rate was 78 per cent (n=327). Among the study participants, those who were aware of EHR, those who wanted a national EHR system, those who were confident with the government on EHR security, and those who were willing to make national EHR accessible for research showed significantly higher digital health ID uptake than their counterparts. The themes identified under barriers of uptake from the qualitative interviews were lack of awareness, technology-related (including digital literacy) and utility-related. Interpretation & conclusions Increasing EHR awareness, digital health literacy, and enacting data protection laws may improve the acceptance of the digital health ecosystem in India.

Utilization patterns and satisfaction levels among beneficiaries attending Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres in a coastal district of Tamil Nadu, India

Background: “Ayushman Bharat” has its twin pillars of health and wellness centers (HWCs) and “Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana” which looks at health holistically and lays significant milestone towards India’s path to universal health coverage. To ensure delivery of comprehensive primary health care, existing sub health centres and certain primary health centres were transformed to HWCs. Objectives were to assess the utilization patterns and measure the satisfaction levels among beneficiaries attending Health and Wellness Centres in rural and urban areas of Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken over a period of six months among 808 beneficiaries from eight of the newly upgraded HWCs of Cuddalore. A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed. Data was collected by exit interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done by Epidata 3.1 and SPSS 21. Results: Majority, 790 (97.7%) felt that healthcare providers were having a positive attitude towards them. In addition, 772 (95.5%) felt that doctors showed interest in them as a whole. About 320 (79.3%) beneficiaries attending rural HWCs were satisfied with the overall treatment received in comparison with 254 (62.8%) beneficiaries attending urban HWCs. The satisfaction level on the overall treatment received was low among urban HWCs beneficiaries. Conclusions: Majority of the patients were satisfied with the health care services offered at HWCs and healthcare providers at HWCs.

Abstract C133: The missing cancer and palliative care in displaced community in Northeast India

Abstract Introduction: Cancer is a chronic illness needing long treatment. This includes late toxicity management in case of cure and palliative care if cure is a distant possibility. Northeast part of India shares international border with Bangladesh and both sides had witnessed geopolitical uncertainty since India’s independence in 1947. Unrest and military rule in East Pakistan made the citizens to flee to India which continued even after the creation of the new country Bangladesh in 1971. However, the poor migrants are not eligible under the public health scheme due to lack of proof of citizenship. Methods: We have analyzed the public health scheme and issues of migrants in Northeast India after observing discontinuity in care. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a national public health insurance scheme of the Government of India that aims to provide free access to health insurance coverage for low- income earners in the country. The scheme is applicable to Indian citizens. In 2019 Government of India passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to provide Indian citizenship to the illegal migrants who entered India on or before 31st December 2014. However, the exercise to identify migrants as per the Act is a tedious process and not yet over.: Results: Until the exercise of granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act is done, the poor migrants who have no proof of citizenship cannot take benefit under AB PM-JAY scheme. Unfortunately, some internally displaced Indian citizens are lacking proof of citizenship and many of them are suffering from chronic illnesses and cancer, however neither afford to pay for treatment nor eligible to get free treatment under AB PM-JAY scheme. Conclusions: Northeast India migrant issue is a special situation where poor migrants from other country and some displaced poor Indians are not eligible to get cancer care under public health insurance scheme. The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a solution by granting citizenship. However, the tedious process is taking long time and no solution being offered in the interim period. Citation Format: Suryakanta Acharya. The missing cancer and palliative care in displaced community in Northeast India [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C133.

A Descriptive Study to Assess the Level of Knowledge Regarding National Geriatric Health Care Policies Among Elderly People in a Selected Area of Haridwar

This descriptive study aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding national geriatric health care policies among elderly people in a selected rural area of Haridwar. Geriatric health care is an important aspect of ensuring the well-being and quality of life for the elderly, a population that is often dependent on external support due to the aging process. The study was conducted among 80 participants aged 60 years and above using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through a self-structured questionnaire designed to evaluate knowledge of national policies such as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Atal Pension Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and others. The results indicated that the majority (65%) of the elderly had average knowledge, while 35% had poor knowledge of these policies, and no participant demonstrated a high level of knowledge. Further analysis revealed no significant association between the level of knowledge and demographic factors such as age, gender, education, and income. This lack of awareness suggests a pressing need for greater dissemination of information regarding geriatric health care policies in rural communities, where elderly people may be particularly vulnerable to poor health outcomes due to limited access to healthcare and support services. The study concludes that improving awareness and access to these policies can empower the elderly to better utilize available resources, ultimately improving their health and well-being. The findings highlight the need for targeted health education programs and policy-level interventions to bridge the knowledge gap in rural areas. Future research should explore larger populations and examine strategies to effectively increase policy awareness among the elderly.

Establishing national hospital costing systems: insights from the qualitative assessment of cost surveillance pilot in Indian hospitals

ObjectiveThe Indian Government launched Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the world’s largest health insurance scheme, in 2018. To reform pricing and gather evidence on healthcare costs, a...

Assessment of needs, challenges, and re-design considerations for culturally sensitive provision and delivery of palliative care supports and services for older adults who prefer to age and die in place in diverse India.

As the global older adult population continues to grow, challenges related to managing multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) or multimorbidity underscore the growing need for palliative care. Palliative care preferences and needs vary significantly based on context, location, and culture. As a result, there is a need for more clarity on what constitutes palliative care in diverse settings. Our objective was to present an international perspective on palliative care in India, a culturally diverse and large ancient Eastern middle-income country. In this narrative review article, we considered three questions when re-designing palliative care for older adults aging-in-place in India: (I) what are the needs for palliative care for persons and their families? (II) Which palliative care domains are essential in assessing improvements in the quality of life (QoL)? (III) What patientreported measures are essential considerations for palliative care? To address these questions, we provide recommendations based on the following key domains: social, behavioral, psychological, cultural, spiritual, medical, bereavement, legal, and economic. Using an established and widely reported conceptual framework on aging and health disparities, we provide how these domains map across multiple levels of influence, such as individual or family members, community, institutions, and health systems for achieving the desired QoL. For greater adoption, reach, and accessibility across diverse India, we conclude palliative care must be carefully and systematically re-designed to be culturally appropriate and community-focused, incorporating traditions, individual preferences, language(s), supports and services from educational and health institutions, community organizations and the government. In addition, national government insurance schemes such as the Ayushman Bharat Yojna can include explicit provisions for palliative care so that it is affordable to all, regardless of ability to pay. In summary, our considerations for incorporating palliative care domains to care of whole person and their families, and provision of supports of services from an array of stakeholders broadly apply to culturally diverse older adults aging in place in India and around the globe who prefer to age and die in place.

Women-centric economics: A closer look at gender budgeting in India.

This article explores gender budgeting in Indian healthcare, emphasizing its role in addressing disparities. Examining trends, recent highlights, and implementation, it showcases impacts on maternal health, reproductive services, gender-based violence, and empowerment. Examples such as Ayushman Bharat and Mahila Samman Savings Certificate illustrate economic implications. Beyond healthcare, gender-responsive budgeting is seen as a versatile tool for broader equality. Challenges prompt a call for sustained efforts and a comprehensive framework.

Recent Scenario of the Indian Healthcare System Post COVID-19 Emergence and in Severely ill Patients

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has brought fundamental changes to our priorities and problems, especially those related to the healthcare sector. The COVID-19 pandemic put even the world's most advanced healthcare systems to the test and India's healthcare system has been rattled as well. In this accordance, the Indian government has introduced many new policies and schemes like free vaccination drive, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and free COVID care under Ayushman Bharat. With the continuation of COVID-19, problems like Self-medication and hoarding of medicines among the common population keep on rising and this was due to flu-like symptoms of COVID-19, miss information on social media, or due to less or no interaction between patients and doctors as the population is now shifting to telemedicine which offers the benefit of consultation at their own home. These situations served as a boon to the Pharma sector as stocks of many pharma companies and industries have been reported to have increased in the past 2 years of the pandemic due to an increase in demand and manufacturing and consumption of pharmaceutical goods and also reportedly being increased by alot in coming years. However, this rapid growth of the pharmaceutical sector is beneficial for pharmacists, businessmen, and others who are directly or indirectly associated with the healthcare fraternity but in our opinion, it will negatively impact the Indian economy or can be viewed as a problem which can lead to the downfall of the qualitative aspect of the pharma sector in the long term.

Health Infrastructures in India with Special Reference to MSME Sector - An Assessment

The healthcare enterprise consists of each the general public and business sectors and consists of scientific tourism, hospitals, fitness insurance, scientific equipment, and outsourcing. The creation of healthcare products, inclusive of scientific equipment, instruments, and services, in addition to for biotechnology and diagnostic laboratories via way of means of Indian Startups affords an answer within side the shape of healthcare services and products and quickens technological innovation to face up to international competition. The National Health Policy, which changed into posted in 2017 to construct the fitness care infrastructure, and the Pradhan Mantra Ayushman Bharat understand the significance of pharmaceutical agencies for enhancing healthcare. The pinnacle 20 markets for scientific gadgets are closely encouraged with the aid of using the scientific tool sector. MSME makes up 6.11% of the GDP from manufacturing, 24.63% of the GDP from services, and 45% of the whole exports. According to the Medical Tourism Index (MIT) for 2020–21, scientific era in India is predicted to attain US $50 billion with the aid of using 2025 and is now positioned 10th. Out of forty six international locations, India`s healthcare marketplace is predicted to attain US$372 billion with the aid of using 2022.usedsecondary data in this paper for discussed Health infrastructures and evaluate role of Health facilities and problems in Health sector in India by secondary source.

Knowledge of beneficiaries about key features and eligibility criteria of Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Knowledge of beneficiaries about key features and eligibility criteria of Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Ensuring excellence: A deep dive into the quality monitoring of Ayushman Bharat health and wellness Centre

This review evaluates the quality monitoring mechanisms of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, integral to India's pursuit of Universal Health Coverage. AB-HWCs are designed to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare, particularly targeting undeserved communities. Despite the significant expansion and progress in healthcare access, the review identifies persistent service quality and infrastructure disparities. The study underscores the necessity of a robust quality monitoring framework, incorporating standardized checklists to ensure consistent and high-quality service delivery. These checklists play a crucial role in systematically assessing the availability of medical supplies, infrastructure adequacy and others, facilitating timely interventions and modification. Additionally, the integration of cultural competence into healthcare delivery is emphasized to enhance the acceptance and effectiveness of services among diverse populations. The review also highlights the critical roles of Community Health Officers and mid-level healthcare providers in the successful operation of HWCs. While acknowledging the commendable progress made by the AB-HWCs initiative, the study concludes that achieving sustainable and equitable health outcomes necessitates ongoing quality monitoring, strategic resource allocation, and adaptive policy measures. The consistent application of checklists in quality assurance processes is essential for maintaining high care standards and advancement of India towards its UHC objectives.

From vision to reality: Dissecting Ayushman Bharat’s role in Indian healthcare

From vision to reality: Dissecting Ayushman Bharat’s role in Indian healthcare

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a community intervention in enhancing access to care and improving clinical outcomes for depression: a protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial in India

BackgroundAlthough depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, treatment coverage for the condition is inadequate. Supply-side barriers (e.g. shortage of specialist mental health professionals) and demand-side barriers (e.g. lack of awareness about depression) lead to limited availability of evidence-based interventions, poor demand for care, and low levels of adherence to care. The aim of our study is to examine if the addition of a community intervention delivered by community volunteers enhances the population-level impact of an evidence based psychosocial intervention (Healthy Activity Program [HAP]) in routine primary care by increasing demand for HAP and improving HAP adherence and effectiveness.MethodsA hybrid type 2 effectiveness implementation cluster randomised controlled trial will be implemented in the state of Goa, India. Twenty-eight clusters of villages and their associated public sector health centres will be randomly allocated through restricted randomisation. Clusters will be randomly allocated to the ‘Community Model’ or ‘Facility Model’ arms. All clusters will offer the HAP and clusters in the ‘Community Model’ arm will additionally receive activities delivered by community volunteers (“Sangathis”) to increase awareness about depression and support demand for and adherence to HAP. The primary outcomes are Contact Coverage (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] score > 4 as a proportion of those screened) and Effectiveness Coverage (mean PHQ-9 score amongst those who score ≥ 15 at baseline, i.e. those who have moderately severe to severe depression) at 3 months post-recruitment. Additional outcomes at 3 and 6 months will assess sustained effectiveness, remission, response to treatment, depression awareness, social support, treatment completion, and activation levels. Economic and disability outcomes will be assessed to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Implementation will be evaluated through process data and qualitative data informed by the RE-AIM framework. A minimum of 79488 primary care attenders will be screened for the Contact Coverage outcome, and 588 individuals with PHQ-9 ≥ 15 will be recruited for the Effectiveness Coverage outcome.DiscussionIf effective, our community intervention will have relevance to India’s Ayushman Bharat universal healthcare programme which is scaling up care for depression in primary care, and also to other low- and middle- income countries.Trial registrationRegistered on ClincalTrials.gov (NCT05890222.) on 12/05/2023.

Healthcare for All: A Comparative Analysis of Medicaid in the United State of America and Ayushman Bharat in India

This paper presents a comparative analysis of two prominent healthcare initiatives: Medicaid in the United States and Ayushman Bharat in India. Both programs aim to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for vulnerable populations within their respective countries. Medicaid, established in 1965, provides comprehensive health coverage primarily to low-income individuals and families through federal and state cooperation. In contrast, Ayushman Bharat, launched in 2018, seeks to address healthcare disparities by offering health insurance coverage to over 500 million people, focusing on the economically disadvantaged. This comparative study examines the structures, objectives, implementation challenges, and outcomes of Medicaid and Ayushman Bharat, analyzing their effectiveness in achieving universal health-care goals. Key factors explored include funding mechanisms, coverage criteria, administrative efficiency, healthcare delivery models, and socio-economic impact. By highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned from these programs, this research aims to contribute valuable insights into the global discourse on healthcare policy and the pursuit of equitable health outcomes.