Himachal Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday jointly launched the 'Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana' in the state.

The scheme was launched at the national level by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ranchi in Jharkhand.

On the occasion, Himachal Governor said the scheme showcased the Prime Minister's concern for the poor.

He urged the people not to depend on free medicines and other facilities. "We should understand that by maintaining a healthy life through yoga and taking healthy food, medication is not needed," he said.

Earlier, the Governor interacted through videoconferencing with the Deputy Commissioner of Kinnaur who launched the scheme in the district and urged him to direct health officials to mobilise the people, mainly in remote areas, about the scheme.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Thakur said the scheme will benefit 22 lakh people in the hill state. A total of 175 hospitals in Himachal have been registered under the scheme.

The Chief Minister said that 'Ayushman Bharat should be publicised in such a way that every citizen of the country could be benefitted. This ambitious scheme would not only ensure free treatment to the people in government as well as private hospitals, but also ensure that they get proper treatment without worrying for the expensive treatments, he said.

Apart from 1800 different diseases, day care surgery has also been covered under the Scheme. The state is way ahead in several health indicators in the country, he added.

He also said about 500,000 families have been covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme in the state.

The state is also implementing the Mukhiya Mantri State Healthcare Scheme, under which over 1.05 lakh families have been covered, he said.

Thakur also said, “The State Government is endeavouring to provide quality and specialised health care facilities to the people of the state. For this, the existing health institutions are being strengthened by equipping them with men and machinery.”

The Chief Minister also interacted with Ministers launching this Scheme simultaneously at Kullu, Dharamshala in Kangra, Mandi, Chamba, Solan, Bilaspur, Sirmour at Nahan, Una and Hamirpur through video conference on the occasion.

Direct relay of launch of the Scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also telecasted from Ranchi on the occasion.

Later, the Governor and Chief Minister released guideline booklet of the scheme. They also presented golden beneficiary cards to the beneficiaries of the scheme on the occasion.