New Delhi, November 30: Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that the government has started the world's largest healthcare insurance scheme.

"Indian government has started the world's largest healthcare insurance scheme. Ayushman Yojana, popularly known as Modi Care, is an ambitious scheme. 1.5 lakh wellness centres will be built. Skilled manpower will be required for that. Skill Development Department is working on it," Pradhan told reporters.

Addressing a gathering at the India Health Summit 2018, Pradhan said, "Healthcare is an issue of prime importance to the common man. Our government led by Prime Minister Modi believes that quality healthcare should be affordable and accessible to all. For the first time in the country, nearly half the population is covered under Ayushman Bharat." Rahul Gandhi Blames Narendra Modi for Looting Indian Farmers in the Name of Crop Insurance.

He further said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi we have launched several game-changing initiatives in the Indian healthcare sector including Ayushman Bharat, the world's largest public health scheme."

On the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced AB-PMJAY scheme from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

The Prime Minister later launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)- Ayushman Bharat in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi on September 23. During the event, he had also laid foundation stones for medical colleges in Chaibasa and Koderma of Jharkhand.