Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme Launched in Delhi, Senior Citizens Praise Free Healthcare Initiative

New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): The Delhi government on Monday rolled out its ambitious health insurance scheme and distributed Ayushman health cards to senior citizens aged 70 and above, making them eligible for free medical treatment worth up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme, aimed at covering six lakh beneficiaries in phases, was part of the BJP’s pre-election promise, which played a key role in ending the party's 27-year drought in Delhi politics. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, “For the elderly of Delhi, lakhs of people will finally receive all medical facilities free of cost. The elderly are happy with this initiative. We will ensure that more hospitals are included in the scheme.” Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri congratulated the Chief Minister for implementing the Ayushman Yojana in record time.

“I want to congratulate Delhi CM Rekha Gupta for launching the Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme within just two months of taking office. I hope more hospitals will come forward to join this initiative in the coming days. This scheme is really good for the elder people as it will give free treatment,” he said.

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme, also known as the Ayushman Bharat Scheme for Senior Citizens, provides free healthcare benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh annually to all Indian citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or social category. Under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, all the elderly above the age of 70, whether rich or poor, from any community, will be able to avail free treatment without income limit. This treatment will be cashless in government and private hospitals. If there is no card, treatment is also possible on the basis of Aadhar card or other identity card. About 33 lakh people in Delhi will benefit from this scheme, which also includes people below 70 years of age. This scheme will provide health security to the elderly and reduce their worries.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, while talking to IANS, called it a happy day for Delhi. He said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised in the 2024 elections that every elderly person above the age of 70 will get free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh. Today this promise has been fulfilled."

Referring to the happiness of the elderly dancing on the stage, he called it 'Modi's guarantee'.

BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay said, "Modi ji had promised the people of Delhi that he would take care of the health of the elderly. Today this scheme is being implemented. Congratulations to Rekha Gupta ji for implementing it quickly. This is a big relief for the elderly of Delhi."

Kapil Mishra, while targeting the previous government, said, "This scheme could have been implemented earlier, but the previous government kept it on hold. The people of Delhi chose BJP and today Modiji's guarantee is being fulfilled. Now every elderly person will get free treatment."

BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said, "We had promised in our manifesto that the Ayushman Bharat scheme will be implemented as soon as the BJP government is formed. This decision was taken in the first cabinet meeting. Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal did not allow this scheme to be implemented, but the public punished him and gave BJP a two-third majority. Today, all the elderly above the age of 70 will get free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh."

Minister Ashish Sood said, "Whether the father is a rickshaw driver or a pilot, everyone will get free treatment worth Rs 10 lakh without any discrimination. This will bring a revolutionary change in the health services of Delhi."

Expressing happiness, Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar said, "Modi Ji's dream is coming true. The elderly are like our parents. It makes us proud to see their happiness. This scheme will end their health concerns."

At the same time, the elderly people who attended the program praised this scheme. Yogita Bagga (Punjab Kesari Club, Paschim Vihar) said, “We are above 70 years of age. We desperately need this scheme. It should not remain confined to papers, it should be implemented soon. Thanks to Modi ji.”

Adarsh ​​Sehgal (Arya Mahila Ashram) said, "This is a great work. We may not fall ill, but if it happens, we will get free treatment worth Rs 10 lakh. Many thanks to the government. This is a boon for the poor." Veena Bajaj expressed happiness along with 10-12 elderly women who had come with her.

He said, "Modi ji has done us a favour. Now we don't have to worry about how we will get treatment when we are sick. This scheme is giving us peace of mind."

Sudesh Rani said, "This scheme is a boon for those who cannot afford treatment. Thanks to Modi ji and the BJP government."