A recent study on ‘Gender’ under AB PM-JAY from October 2019 to September 2021 reveals that female utilisation of AB PM-JAY services stood at 46.7 per cent of the total utilisation. States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim observe higher female utilisation under AB PM-JAY than males for the stipulated period. AB PM-JAY currently provides as many as 59 packages and 77 procedures under the speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology for women, enabling increased access to better healthcare services and thus helping in the reduction of maternal and child mortality. In the same, it has been observed that obstetrics and gynaecology utilisation under the scheme is the second most utilised speciality after general medicine in over 15 states. 

Besides the above-mentioned procedures, other specialisations like oncology (58 per cent) and ophthalmology (51 per cent) have also seen a higher female beneficiary utilisation than males under AB PM-JAY.

"The Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme is setting a great example for promoting gender equity and equal opportunities in access to health benefits and medical assistance for all. The high representation of female beneficiaries in the scheme is a testament to our commitment to this endeavour. I hope we can continue this tradition and keep this inclusiveness alive,” said Dr RS Sharma, CEO, National Health Authority while releasing the study.