CHANDIGARH, 07.02.26-“Ayushman Bharat is nothing short of a healthcare revolution in India. This scheme has prevented millions from falling into poverty due to medical expenses, and PGIMER is proud to be at the forefront of translating this vision into reality,” stated Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, while addressing media persons at PGIMER today to highlight the Institute’s pivotal role in delivering complex, high-end treatments under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

Addressing the media, Prof. Lal emphasised that PGIMER has emerged as a torchbearer in the effective implementation of government health schemes for the benefit of the most vulnerable sections of society. He observed that Ayushman Bharat is not merely a financial protection mechanism but a comprehensive systemic reform that is fundamentally reshaping healthcare delivery in India. PGIMER’s experience, he noted, clearly demonstrates that advanced, high-end and complex medical care can be delivered equitably, ethically and efficiently within the public health system.

Prof. Lal further noted that PGIMER records one of the highest volumes of Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries in the country. A substantial proportion of renal transplants, spine surgeries, joint replacements and other complex procedures at the Institute are now being performed under the scheme, with clinical outcomes comparable to those of leading global institutions. He stressed that the indigenous and Ayushman-approved implants used at PGIMER adhere to stringent international quality benchmarks, reinforcing the principle that affordability does not imply compromised standards of care.

“PGIMER is not a hospital for simple cases. We receive referrals from across India—patients who have often exhausted all available options elsewhere. Our responsibility is to deliver the best possible care, irrespective of a patient’s ability to pay,” Prof. Lal stated.

Senior faculty members present during the media interaction included Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent and Head, Department of Hospital Administration; Prof. Vijay Goni, Head, Department of Orthopaedics; Dr. Vishal Kumar, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics; and Dr. Navin Pandey, Additional Professor, Department of Hospital Administration, PGIMER.