Rajouri, Feb 4 (IANS): The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) has brought major relief to the residents of Union Territory (UT), particularly those battling life-threatening diseases like cancer.

A Rajouri-based hospital is providing free medical treatment to not just residents of the city but also from adjoining districts including Reasi and Poonch.

PM-JAY beneficiaries, armed with the Ayushman Golden Card scheme, are drawing benefits from the scheme and getting free of cost treatment at the hospital. Patients and their attendants are expressing deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making free treatment accessible, in both government and private hospitals.

Several patients admitted to GMC Rajouri shared how, before the launch of this scheme, poor families were forced to sell their homes and properties to afford expensive medication and treatment but that is no longer the case. With 100 per cent free treatment available under the scheme, the financial burden on underprivileged families has been completely lifted.

"This scheme has given us new hope. Earlier, we had to struggle for money to get treatment, but now we can receive medical care without worrying about expenses," said an attendant of a cancer patient at GMC Rajouri.

Shabir Ahmed, whose mother is being treated at the hospital said that they are very thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing medical benefits to poor and marginalised classes under the scheme.

Abdul Hakim, doctor and associate professor at GMC Rajouri Medical College speaking to IANS said the hospital provides day care service as well as OPD besides chemotherapy sessions for cancer patients.

"Under the Golden card of the PM-JAY scheme, patients get expensive medicines free of cost. Patients from Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi are primarily the patients here. They are provided free chemotherapy treatment," he said.

He added that it's only after the exhaustion of medical insurance that some patients have to shell money from their pockets.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme, initiated by the Modi government continues to benefit thousands of people across Rajouri and other districts of Jammu and Kashmir as it ensures that no one is denied healthcare due to financial constraints.