PM Modi Has Signed Blank Cheque To Make Ayushman Bharat Work: Official

NEW DELHI: 

HIGHLIGHTS

1. The health care scheme will be a key plank of PM's 2019 polls campaign
2. Ayushman Bharat will promote traditional ideas of holistic health care
3. Fears that it may strain India's already stretched health infrastructure

Personalized letters from

 Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi, announcements from door-knocking 

health-care workers and lists pinned up at village 

council offices trumpet the news: India's vast new 

health program has arrived.

Starting Sunday, half a billion citizens will be covered

 under an initiative that local media have dubbed 

"Modicare." Although nobody seems to be sure whether it will work or how much it will cost, 

the government has touted it as the world's biggest government-funded health scheme.

"Indian healthcare is poised for a great leap forward with Ayushman Bharat - which will 

insure over 50 crore [500 million] citizens," tweeted Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda,

 referring to the program by its official name, meaning "Long Life India."

Decades of explosive economic growth have brought new wealth to India, but the neediest 

of its people still lack basic services. The health-care plan, targeted at the country's poorest 

40 per cent, will be a key plank of PM Modi's campaign platform in national elections next 

year.