AGARTALA, Sep 23 (TIWN): While addressing in the inauguration programme of Ayushman Bharat health scheme, Tripura Health Minister Sudip Barman said, “4.6 % Indian people are going in below poverty line and the reason behind it is the hefty medical expense”.

"Prime Minister has observed that this is actually affecting the economy of the country heavily. Such kind of affect come heavily on Tripura like states too. On that time PM Modi in 2017 made National Health policy and decided to go for "Health for all" and "universal coverage of health", he said.

“Ayushman Bharat is two folded. In Health for all to create 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness centres across India. In 2018-19, in Tripura we have decided to bring 71 primary and health centres under Health & Wellness centre and within 2022 all the primary and sub-centres will be brought under Health and Wellness centre”, Sudip Barman said.

Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki has launched Ayushman Bharat health scheme in Tripura.

Chief Minister Biplab Deb, Health Minister Sudip Barman, MLA Asish Saha, MLA Ram Prasad Pal, Chief Secretary Sanjeev Ranjan were also present on that occasion.

This is a nation-wide inauguration programme that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the scheme, which has been boasted as world's largest healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY), also known as "Modicare", on Sunday from Ranchi’s Prabhat Tara Maidan on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay.

The scheme was announced by PM Modi in his Independence Day speech and will be will be simultaneously launched in 445 districts. A digital campaign will also be rolled out for spreading awareness among the people about the scheme through animations on social media and websites.