The Delhi government on Monday launched its ambitious health insurance scheme by distributing Ayushman health cards to elderly citizens aged 70 years and above, making them eligible for free medical treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh annually.
The ‘Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme’, aimed at covering six lakh beneficiaries in phases, is part of a promise made by the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections, which ended the party’s 27-year absence from power in Delhi.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card for senior citizens under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) at a ceremony held at Thyagaraj Stadium. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and other senior leaders present at the event said the initiative marked the fulfillment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee.
Under the scheme, senior citizens will be entitled to free medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh each year — Rs 5 lakh provided under the central Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, and an additional Rs 5 lakh offered by the Delhi government through supplementary health insurance.
The launch event was attended by several top BJP leaders and ministers, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar, Ministers Kapil Mishra and Ashish Sood, BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, and various party MLAs.
Speaking at the event, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra said, “These schemes could have been implemented much earlier, but the previous government stalled all central health initiatives. Today, every guarantee made is being fulfilled. This was Prime Minister Modi’s guarantee, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has delivered on it.”
Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, who headed the BJP’s Delhi manifesto committee, said, “In our manifesto, we had promised that the first Cabinet decision would be the implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Delhi. Today, that promise stands fulfilled.”
Minister Ashish Sood praised the leadership, stating, “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has honored the commitment made to the people.”
Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh added, “I am deeply grateful that through my efforts, the Prime Minister’s vision is now being realised on the ground.”
BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay also commented, “Starting today, all senior citizens aged 70 years and above will receive the Vay Vandana scheme card. Under the Prime Minister’s Jan Arogya Yojana, everyone can access cashless treatment at hospitals.”
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card will enable senior citizens to avail themselves of cashless treatment at a wide network of empanelled hospitals.
Officials stated that the distribution of the cards has begun and all eligible residents aged 70 and above will be gradually covered under the scheme.
— IANS