Patna, Sep 6 (Reporter) Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday said the "Ayushman Bharat" is the largest universal health coverage scheme in the world, totally funded by the government, giving its benefits to 55 crore people of the country. Nadda after inaugurating the newly constructed regional ophthalmology unit in the premises of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) Patna with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said healthcare scenario had changed drastically in the country after the Narendra Modi government was voted to power in 2014. A new health policy was launched by the government in 2017 which focussed on preventive measures to keep the people in good health, rather than treating them after falling sick, he added. "Several steps have been taken to prevent people from falling sick and also for quality treatment to those who got afflicted with any disease", Union Minister said that he after becoming Health Minister in 2014 used to visit several countries and got the opportunity to see himself, the universal health coverage scheme there. In those days, launching of a universal health coverage scheme was a distant dream in India but Prime Minister Narendra Modi having great vision, ushered in a new era in the country by rolling out the Ayushman Bharat health coverage scheme, he pointed out. " At present 12.74 crores families covering a total of 55 crores people, 44 per cent of the population of the country, are getting benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme as they have been covered with medical expenses of Rs 5 lakhs every year for treatment of various ailments including serious illness," Nadda said adding that Ayushman Bharat scheme was hundred per cent funded by the government. Union Minister said that the regional ophthalmology unit opened in the premises of IGIMS, Patna would cater to the needs of patients seeking super speciality treatment of their eye ailments. Operation theatres and other facilities were equipped with the latest and advanced technology of the world, he pointed out and added that IGIMS had also been treating patients not only from Bihar but also from Orissa and West Bengal. " Founded in 1983, one can see the treatment facilities available in IGIMS during the period till 2005 when other parties were in power in Bihar and also from 2005 to 2024 when NDA is in power", Nadda said adding that treatment facilities in IGIMS improved remarkably after NDA government headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was formed in 2005 in Bihar. He also appreciated Kumar for providing land in Darbhanga to establish another AIIMS in Bihar. "Set up with an investment of Rs 188 crores, ophthalmology unit in premises of IGIMS, Patna, would have best treatment facilities of all eye ailments under one roof ", Union Minister said adding that the Centre had given Rs 200 crores each for opening five super speciality treatment units in existing medical college and hospitals in Bihar. It was heartening to note that Patna Medical College and Hospital(PMCH) was being upgraded as the second largest hospital in the world having 5,462 beds. Nadda also recalled his old association with PMCH saying he was born there as his parents earlier used to live in Bihar and he also got an education in this state itself. Earlier, Chief Minister Kumar while speaking on the occasion appreciated the assistance given by the Centre for improving medical facilities in Bihar. He recalled the fact that then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been sanctioned for opening AIIMS in Patna and now the present regime at the Centre had given its nod to open another AIIMS in Darbhanga...////...