Spanning care and comfort: examining Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana's role in enhancing well-being of individuals in South Gujarat
| Date | 28 May 2024 |
| Pages | 1383-1398 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-03-2024-0040 |
| Published date | 28 May 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Gopal Goswami,Himanshu Bagdi |
Spanning care and comfort: examining
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’s role
in enhancing well-being of individuals in
South Gujarat
Gopal Goswami and Himanshu Bagdi
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to delve into the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) on
the well-being and quality of life of beneficiaries in Surat City of India. Employing correlation and regression
analyses, the study uncovers significant correlations between Awareness, Healthcare Utilisation, and
Financial Burden Reduction with well-being outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach –The investigation employs a structured questionnaire to gather data
from 250 beneficiaries, exploring the relationships between Awareness, Healthcare Utilisation, Financial
Burden Reduction, Well-Being and quality of Life. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire
using a survey method.
Findings –The results highlighted the crucial role of Awareness in empowering beneficiaries to
make informed healthcare decisions, positively influencing their well-being. Furthermore, the
study underscores how active engagement with PMJAY’s healthcare services enhances well-
being. The mitigation of financial burdens emerges as a pivotal factor, signifying the program’s
efficacy in improving beneficiaries’qualityof life.
Originality/value –The comprehensive model presented in this study reveals that PMJAY’s multifaceted
approach is pivotal in promoting enhanced well-being and quality of life among beneficiaries. These
findings affect public health policies seeking to create holistic interventions that holistically address
vulnerable populations’healthcare access, financial burdens, andoverall well-being.
Keywords Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Healthcare access, Financial burden reduction,
Public health policy, Quality of life
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The quest for an elevated standard of living is a core ambition universally held among
humans around the globe. At the core of this endeavour lies the condition of an individual’s
well-being, which acts as a fundamental element for achieving personal capabilities,
contentment, and general happiness in life (Frisch, 2005;Reker and Wong, 2013). Within
this particular framework, the accessibility and sufficiency of healthcare services arise as
crucial factors closely intertwined with an individual’s path towards well-being (Stewart
et al.,2008
). The relationship between accessto healthcare and well-being extends beyond
physical health, embracingpsychological, social, and economic aspects (Brim et al.,2004).
Healthcare access encompasses how much medical services, medicines, and preventative
measures are readily available and affordable. It significantly impacts several aspects of
well-being, both objective indicators and subjective experiences (Bandura, 2013). The
effect stems from acknowledging that health encompasses more than just the absence of
Gopal Goswami is based at
the Department of
Management Studies,
Sardar Vallabhbhai
National Institute of
Technology, Surat, India.
Himanshu Bagdi is based
at the Department of
Business Administration,
School of Business and
Commerce, Manipal
University Jaipur, Jaipur,
India.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-03-2024-0040 VOL. 28 NO. 6 2024, pp. 1383-1398, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jPAGE 1383
disease but a state of holistic well-being that includes physical, mental, and social
dimensions (Keyes, 2006). The availability of timely and suitable healthcare resources has a
crucial role in either fostering or impeding an individual’s overall well-being. Healthcare
access inequities have become a significant problem as societies evolve and confront the
intricacies of healthcare systems (Begunet al., 2003;Browne et al.,2005). The presence of
geographical, socio-economic, and cultural elements frequently gives rise to significant
differences in the accessibility of healthcare services, resulting in variations in health
outcomes and overall quality of life (Lazarand Davenport, 2018). The above inequalities are
morally reprehensible and significantly affect society’s cohesiveness and advancement of
the economy (Jetten et al., 2021). To comprehend the intricate relationship between
healthcare accessibility and overall well-being, it is imperative to do a comprehensive
examination of diverse aspects (Britton and Foley, 2021). The early availability of medical
interventions can have physical benefits such as preventing the advancement of illnesses,
alleviating pain, and improving overalllifespan (Vaupel, 2010). Persons who have consistent
access to mental health servicesare more capable of effectively coping with stress, anxiety,
and other mental health difficulties. This ability ultimately contributes to emotional stability
and well-being (Connell et al.,2012). From a social perspective, optimal health enables
individuals to actively participate in their communities, cultivate social bonds, and sustain
significant interpersonal connections, all of which are fundamental components of a fulfilling
existence (Stewart and Townley, 2020). From an economic standpoint, it is argued that
sufficient access to healthcare may safeguard against exorbitant medical costs, maintain
financial security, and establish a basis for upward social and economic mobility (Habib
et al.,2016
).
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), initiated on September 23, 2018, is a
ground-breaking and ambitious healthcare programme implemented by the Government of
India. Its primary objectiveis to offer financial security and healthcare services to individuals
and families who are economically disadvantaged and vulnerable throughout the country.
The plan, referred to as the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-
PMJAY), is recognised as a significant measure in India’s pursuit of Universal Health
Coverage (UHC) (Paul, 2019). The main goalof PM-JAY is to provide access to high-quality
healthcare services for people and families that are classified as Socio-Economically
Deprived Classes (SEDC) and live below the poverty line while mitigating the financial
burdens associated with such access (Ramand Thakur, 2022). Within this framework, those
who meet the criteria can get medical care for various diseases and treatments. This
includes pre-existing ailments and newly diagnosed conditions and is provided through a
network of approved public and private institutions (Saxena et al., 2022). The Pradhan
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) offers health insurance coverage of INR 5 lakh
(equivalent to around $6,700) per family each annum. This initiative is a substantial
safeguard against exorbitant healthcare expenses, frequently resulting in severe financial
burdens for low-income households. This coverage includes a range of medical treatments,
such as hospitalisation, surgical procedures, diagnostic testing, consultations, and post-
treatment care (Bauhoff and Sudharsanan, 2021;Gaddam and Rao, 2023). One notable
characteristic of PM-JAY is its focus on transactions without physical currency or paper
documentation. The beneficiaries receive an electronic card to get medical treatment at
empanelled hospitals without needing immediate payment (Sharma and Aggarwal, 2020).
This approach streamlines the procedure, eliminates economic obstacles, and improves
the whole healthcare encounter for the recipients (Singh et al., 2022a,2022b). Moreover,
the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is crucial in providing secondary and tertiary
healthcare services in underserved ruraland remote regions (Joseph et al.,2021). Including
both public and private healthcare providers in the panel stimulates private sector
engagement, leading to an expansion of quality healthcare facilities in underserved regions
(Grewal et al.,2023). The successful execution of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(PM-JAY) necessitates a cooperative endeavour between the federal government and the
PAGE 1384 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jVOL. 28 NO. 6 2024
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