Chandigarh, Oct 17 (IANS): The Punjab government on Wednesday announced an annual health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh each to around 43 lakh families in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and a state scheme.

The state has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for the implementation of the PM-JAY for 14.96 lakh families. The state will, at its own cost, cover 28.20 lakh more families under the state health insurance programme, an official spokesperson told IANS.

The MoU was signed on Wednesday by Health Department Additional Chief Secretary Satish Chandra on behalf of the state with Ayushman Bharat Chief Executive Officer Indu Bhushan.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that the move will put healthcare within the reach of every needy person in the state.

The Cabinet, at its meeting on October 3, had approved in principle the merger of state-run Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana with the central scheme while increasing the existing insurance cover of Rs 50,000 per year per family to Rs 5 lakh to 43 lakh families.

The Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna, which was to expire on October 31, was extended till December 31.

State Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said the Punjab government will take more steps to strengthen capacity building in the health sector to enable its residents to avail of timely and efficient healthcare services.