Ayushman Bharat will launch in Bengal from August 16, but Swasthya Sathi cards will remain valid during the transition. West Bengal is set to officially launch the Centre's 'Ayushman Bharat' health scheme across the state from August 16, raising questions over whether the existing 'Swasthya Sathi' scheme will now be discontinued. The 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme will be formally launched from Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium on Sunday, August 16. The administration has also directed all private hospitals to continue accepting 'Swasthya Sathi' cards alongside 'Ayushman Bharat'. Once 'Ayushman Bharat' is fully operational across West Bengal, the new system will gradually replace the existing 'Swasthya Sathi' arrangement.