The Delhi government on Monday launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana scheme, offering free treatment worth up to `10 lakh to citizens aged 70 years and above in the city. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri distributed the first Vaya Vandana cards to beneficiaries at an event in the capital.
Under this scheme, yearly medical assistance worth `5 lakh will be provided free of cost. Additionally, `5 lakh coverage will be provided under the Delhi government’s scheme, making the total health cover `10 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, “This is the first programme of its kind under the triple engine model, and I thank Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi for respecting our elderly with this health scheme.”
“There will be no difference between the rich and the poor; everyone will benefit from this scheme, regardless of their financial background,” she said, adding that registration starts today, and the only criteria is that you must be a Delhi citizen and hold an Aadhaar card.
You can enroll from today onwards.” More than 100 hospitals in the city are included in the scheme and over 30,000 registered for cashless treatment. This is a significant step forward, she said.
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri at the launch of the scheme said that it will be cited as a model in the world.
In his address, the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas slammed the previous AAP government for holding up Ayushman Bharat health scheme.
Puri said that the launch of the Vaya Vandana healthcare scheme for the people aged 70 and above, will be written in “golden words” in the history books for its significance. Citing problems with healthcare systems of advanced, industrial democracies, Puri said these were riddled with issues like requirements of insurance premium payments, limited number of hospitals and delayed consultations for elderly, and added “Vaya Vandana will be cited as a model in the world in the field of elderly healthcare.”
Under the scheme, 47 private and 10 government hospitals are empanelled for the beneficiaries. A speciality of the scheme is that its totally cashless, he said. The minister said that Delhi’s former chief ministers Kejriwal and Atishi used to talk much about Mohalla Clinics that faced “serious allegations”.
“In the enquiry, it was revealed that 65,000 fake tests were conducted there and the medicines did not have manufacturing and expiry dates. Around 26,000 test reports bore the same registration numbers,” he claimed. “Its best not to talk much about Mohalla Clinics,” said the Union minister.
The AAP before its inception ran a movement against corruption but held back tabling of CAG reports on its government’s performance, in the Delhi Assembly, he said. Further, he said that during his seven-year tenure as Union Housing and Urban Affairs minister, the previous AAP government created hurdles the Phase III and Phase IV Metro projects.
Lashing out at the previous AAP government, CM Gupta said, “The previous government did an injustice by delaying this scheme in Delhi for seven years due to ego and political reasons.”
“Now, with triple engagement, we promise to bring change to Delhi. The city will become more beautiful, educated, and developed. The benefits of this scheme will reach everyone. We will work together, and it is a huge responsibility. Excuses won’t work anymore; we will deliver the progress Delhi deserves,” she added.
Health Minister Pankaj Singh said it is a historical step for Delhi’s healthcare system and the government is working to strengthen its health infrastructure.
“This scheme is portable, and any Delhi resident, even if they are outside the city, can enrol. Chemotherapy, ICU care, surgeries, and 961 other medical treatments are also include,” Singh said.
Under the Vaya Vandana Yojana, each registered senior citizen will be provided with a unique health card. This card will securely store their complete health records, regular health check-up information, and emergency service details.
All health tests for citizens aged 70 years and above in Delhi will be conducted completely free of cost under the
scheme. Gupta earlier posted on X, “Serving the elderly is our top priority.
Now, the Centre and Delhi governments together are providing health coverage
of up to `10 lakh to senior citizens aged 70 and above.Secure the health of your loved ones — get the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cardtoday. #ViksitDelhi #AyushmanDelhi70Plus”.
