AB PM-JAY Roll Out: Digital Divide a Challenge for Elderly in Sambalpur

LACK of reliable internet access, smartphones and digital literacy has emerged as bottlenecks in implementation and utilization of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana (AVVY) in Sambalpur district.

- MAYANK BHUSAN PANI @Sambalpur

Beneficiaries seeking to avail financial assistance for healthcare are reportedly facing difficulty to register themselves under the schemes due to the digital divide. With the system heavily dependent on digital platforms and mobile-based verification, a significant number of beneficiaries in rural areas – the elderly population in particular – struggle to enroll themselves.

Official sources said around 6.5 lakh people are eligible beneficiaries in Sambalpur. While awareness levels are high across the district due to successful outreach campaigns by ASHA workers and IEC drives, the registration process is an operational hurdle. Though eligible people can apply through the Ayushman app, most of them are preferring to visit common services centers (CSCs) citing the app’s lack of user-friendliness.