Delhi Government Broadens Ayushman Bharat Coverage to Include Widows and Divyang Persons
In a significant move to enhance healthcare accessibility, the Delhi government announced on Tuesday its decision to extend the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme to beneficiaries of the widow and disability financial assistance programs. This expansion aims to provide robust health security to vulnerable populations across the capital.
Cabinet Decision and Beneficiary Numbers
The decision was made during a Delhi Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The government plans to include approximately 3.97 lakh widows and 1.31 lakh Divyang persons under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), commonly known as Ayushman Bharat. Notably, the families of these beneficiaries will also become eligible to avail themselves of the scheme's benefits, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Chief Minister Gupta highlighted that this inclusion will bring about 5.5 lakh additional families under the health security umbrella. She stated, "Approximately 5.5 lakh families in Delhi currently receive Ayushman Bharat scheme benefits. With this decision, we are adding another 5.5 lakh families, significantly strengthening our healthcare net."
Expanding the Safety Net
These newly covered families will join existing beneficiaries under various categories, including the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PRS) groups, senior citizens above 70 years of age, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, and Anganwadi workers and helpers. This step is part of a broader effort to create an inclusive healthcare framework.
Gupta reiterated the government's unwavering commitment, saying, "We are firmly dedicated to ensuring that no poor, vulnerable, or needy citizen of Delhi is deprived of medical treatment due to financial constraints. Our objective is clear: no eligible citizen should be denied quality and affordable healthcare services."
Implementation and Impact
To facilitate the effective implementation of the scheme in Delhi, a network of 208 hospitals has been empanelled, comprising 156 private and 53 government institutions. This infrastructure supports the delivery of healthcare services to beneficiaries.
According to official data, 7,23,707 Ayushman cards have been issued in Delhi to date, including 2,74,620 cards to senior citizens. Furthermore, more than 29,120 beneficiaries have received treatment under PM-JAY through the State Health Agency (SHA) in the capital.
Chief Minister Gupta emphasized that this initiative transcends administrative action, calling it "a commitment linked to the health and dignity of every needy family in Delhi." She described the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana as the country's largest health protection scheme and noted that the Delhi government's move represents a significant step toward making it more effective and inclusive.
This expansion underscores the government's proactive approach to addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring that marginalized groups, such as widows and persons with disabilities, receive the support they need for a healthier future.
