“Enhancing Media Awareness & Public Outreach on AB PM-JAY & CMHIS”
KOHIMA: Nagaland Health Protection Society (NHPS), under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, organised a Media Sensitisation Programme Thursday at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima. The programme, themed “Enhancing Media Awareness and Public Outreach on AB PM-JAY & CMHIS,” aimed to improve understanding and communication regarding two key health insurance schemes: Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).
The event opened with a welcome address from Thavaseelan K, CEO of NHPS, who acknowledged the media’s role in disseminating precise and timely information to the public. Dr Yingnei Wangnao, Deputy CEO of NHPS, presented an overview of the benefits offered by AB PM-JAY and CMHIS, explaining that both schemes provide cashless hospitalisation covering secondary and tertiary medical treatments, including pre- and post-hospitalisation care and certain day-care procedures, while excluding outpatient services and standalone diagnostic tests.
Beneficiaries requiring additional high-end surgical materials beyond the standard package must cover those costs themselves.
Livitoli Sukhalu, Deputy CEO of NHPS, elucidated the eligibility criteria for beneficiaries under the unified schemes. The AB PM-JAY aims to support families identified under the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 and incorporates Building and Construction Workers (BoCW), establishing an initial beneficiary base of 2,59,468 impoverished families across Nagaland.
The CMHIS (GEN) covers indigenous and permanent residents not included in AB PM-JAY as well as certain government employees and their family members. Meanwhile, CMHIS (EP) targets government employees and pensioners eligible for medical allowances or reimbursements.
The programme also facilitated an interactive discussion involving media representatives, aimed at enhancing public awareness through responsible reporting. The panel included various NHPS officials, providing insights on the operational aspects of the health schemes.
Beneficiaries were told to contact NHPS via a toll-free help line (1800 202 3380). Email contacts were provided for general inquiries (support-nhps@cmhis.nagaland.gov.in), grievance submissions (grievances.nhps@cmhis.nagaland.gov.in) and requests to disable PM-JAY/CMHIS cards (card.support@cmhis.nagaland.gov.in).