A research dissemination workshop on “Enrolment and Utilization of PMJAY in Kasaragod, Kerala” was organized on 12th February 2024 by the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Central University of Kerala. The workshop discussed the findings of the research project titled “Enrolment and Utilization of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana among Eligible Households in Kasaragod, Kerala”. The research project was funded by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi as part of the “Special Call for Short-term Empirical Research 2023-24”. The programme was attended by the students, research scholars, district health system functionaries, ASHA workers, community members, and representatives from State Health Agency (SHA), Kerala.

Prof. KC. Baiju, Vice-Chancellor Incharge, CUK said that it is essential to tackle deprivation on all fronts and importantly in health to make substantial strides in human development. Prof. Govinda Rao Duddukuri, Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health, CUK, emphasised on the need to take forward the findings of the research into the communities to improve health and wellbeing of communities. Prof. Mathew George, Head of the Department, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, CUK said that research dissemination workshops help to build the academia community linkages, and strengthen the process of knowledge production,  implementation and action. Sibin Joseph, District Project Coordinator, State Health Agency, Kerala, and Dr. Ramesh, Medical Officer, CHC Periya also participated in the workshop. 

Dr. Arun B Nair, State Director for Kerala, Access Health International, delivered a keynote address on the evolution of public funded health insurance (PFHI) schemes in Kerala. He discussed how PFHI schemes evolved in Kerala from RSBY-CHIS to the current KASP-PMJAY. He discussed how the PFHI programmes are implemented, their successes and pertinent challenges. Dr. Kodali Prakash Babu, Assistant Professor, Dept. Public Health and Community Medicine, CUK presented the study findings. Half of the eligible households in the district reported being enrolled into the scheme, and 45% of the enrolled households who needed hospitalization utilized the scheme benefits. The scheme benefits resulted in reduction of health care expenses. However, lack of awareness about the benefits and limited number of empanelled hospitals negatively impacted the enrolment and utilization. The findings recommended the need to build awareness about the scheme in the community, and also strengthen the secondary and tertiary healthcare services in the district.