Delhi launches health scheme for the elderly that Kejriwal opposed

In line with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s pre-poll promise, the Delhi government launched the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme, offering free health treatment worth up to ₹10 lakh to citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their social status.

“Every person who is above 70 years of age will get the benefit of this scheme… Only two things are required, first you should be a resident of Delhi and second you should have an Aadhar card,” Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta said. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Gupta distributed the first Vay Vandana cards to beneficiaries at an event in the Capital on Monday. The health card, which will securely store their complete health record, will provide free health tests for citizens aged 70 years and above in Delhi.

She said as soon as the health card is made, the beneficiary will be able to get treatment in any hospital registered under the scheme in Delhi as well as across the country. “Serving the elderly is our top priority. Now, the Centre and Delhi governments together are providing health coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh to senior citizens aged 70 and above. Secure the health of your loved ones – get the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card today.#ViksitDelhi #AyushmanDelhi70Plus”, she posted on X earlier.

Besides, 1,71,482 Ayushman Bharat cards have been created under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for those eligible under the flagship central health insurance scheme. This was part of the BJP government’s 100-day action plan, under which it had announced that it would enrol at least one lakh beneficiaries within a month. In the run-up to the Delhi elections, the BJP had hit out at the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for non-implementation of the Ayushman scheme. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has opposed the implementation of the scheme in the national capital.

Ayushman Vay VandanaDelhi CM Rekha GuptaDelhi governmentelderly peoplehealth schemeNews BriefWeb Exclusive