Lakshadweep Ayushman Bharat Hospital List 2025: Island & Mainland Care Guide
For the residents of the remote and beautiful archipelago of Lakshadweep, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) is a lifeline. Given the unique geographical challenges, the scheme provides a structured and essential safety net, offering a cashless health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. This ensures that every eligible resident has access to quality healthcare, from primary care on their home island to super-speciality treatment on the mainland.
This detailed 2025 guide explains how the healthcare system works under PMJAY in Lakshadweep. It provides information on the local health centers across islands like Minicoy, Amini, Androth, and Agatti, the main referral hospital in Kavaratti, and the empanelled hospitals on the mainland.
Healthcare in Lakshadweep: The PMJAY Referral Pathway
Healthcare delivery in Lakshadweep under PMJAY follows a structured referral system to provide the appropriate level of care:
- Level 1: Primary Care on Your Island: Basic healthcare, consultations, and minor treatments are provided at the local Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) located on each inhabited island.
- Level 2: Secondary Care in Kavaratti: For more serious conditions requiring hospitalization or specialist consultation, patients are referred to the main government hospital in the UT, the Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kavaratti. This is the primary hub for secondary care within the islands.
- Level 3: Super-Speciality Care on the Mainland (Kochi): If a patient requires advanced super-speciality treatment (like complex heart surgeries, neurosurgery, or advanced cancer care) that is not available in Kavaratti, they are officially referred to empanelled, high-quality hospitals on the mainland, primarily in Kochi, Kerala.
How to Find a Network Hospital
As a beneficiary, your treatment journey will be guided by medical professionals. You can find information on the official portal, but your point of contact will be your local health center.
- For initial consultation, visit your nearest Community Health Centre (CHC) or Primary Health Centre (PHC).
- If required, they will provide a referral to Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kavaratti, or an empanelled hospital in Kochi.
- To see the list of empanelled hospitals, you can visit the official PMJAY Hospital Search Portal and select 'Lakshadweep' or 'Kerala' for mainland options.
Eligibility Criteria and Core Benefits
Who is Eligible in Lakshadweep?
Eligibility in Lakshadweep is comprehensive, aiming to cover the most vulnerable populations:
- Families identified from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 database.
- A significant portion of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes, who are generally included under the scheme's criteria.
You can confirm your eligibility status on the PMJAY Beneficiary Portal or at your local health center.
The Key Benefits of PMJAY in Lakshadweep
- ₹5 Lakh Cashless Cover: Each beneficiary family receives a health cover of ₹5 lakh per year on a family floater basis.
- Access to Mainland Super-Speciality Care: The scheme ensures that if treatment isn't available on the islands, you get access to top hospitals in Kochi, completely cashless.
- Transportation Support: The Lakshadweep administration often provides transportation support (by ship or helicopter) for patients who are referred to the mainland for treatment, reducing the logistical burden.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The scheme covers all costs associated with hospitalization, including diagnostics, medicines, doctor fees, and room charges.
- Pre-existing Diseases Covered: All pre-existing conditions are covered from day one of enrollment without any waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What if the treatment I need is not available in Lakshadweep?
This is a key feature of the scheme in Lakshadweep. If a super-speciality treatment is not available at Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kavaratti, you will be officially referred to a larger, empanelled hospital on the mainland, primarily in Kochi, Kerala. The treatment there will also be cashless under PMJAY.
2. Is the cost of travel to Kochi for treatment covered?
While PMJAY covers medical expenses, the UT administration of Lakshadweep has provisions to cover the transportation costs for patients who are officially referred to mainland hospitals for treatment. This typically includes travel by ship or helicopter.
3. What is the main hospital in Lakshadweep for PMJAY?
The main referral hospital within the UT is the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Kavaratti. Most major procedures and specialist consultations available within Lakshadweep are performed here.
4. How do I get a referral for treatment on the mainland?
A referral must be initiated by the doctors at your local CHC/PHC or at the Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kavaratti. If they determine that the required treatment is not available locally, they will process the official referral for you to travel to an empanelled hospital in Kochi.
5. Can I directly go to a hospital in Kochi for treatment?
No, for the cashless benefit to apply, you must follow the official referral process. For non-emergency planned surgeries, you need to be referred by the Lakshadweep health authorities first. In a dire emergency, the procedures may be different, and you should contact the health authorities immediately.