Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that 14 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards have issued to senior citizens aged 70 and above since the scheme’s launch a month ago.
The government expanded the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on 29 October, offering free treatment benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh annually on a family basis to senior citizens regardless of their socio-economic background.
The initiative aims to support approximately 4.5 crore families and 6 crore individuals aged 70 years and older across the country.
Jadhav stated, “As on 25 November, approximately 14 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards have been created, for senior citizens aged 70 years and above beneficiaries under the scheme.”
The scheme’s estimated expenditure stands at Rs 3,437 crore, with Rs 2,165 crore allocated from the central share for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26.
A total of 29,870 hospitals are currently empanelled, including 13,173 private facilities, to deliver these services.
The program offers cashless treatment across 1,961 medical procedures spanning 27 specialties, such as general medicine and surgery.
It also addresses conditions like bone disorders, heart diseases, and cancer. The coverage also includes specialized treatments such as dialysis, hip and knee replacements, and pacemaker implantations.
States have the flexibility to adjust health benefit packages to address local healthcare needs, ensuring the scheme stays inclusive and effective.
This flagship initiative underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare access for India’s elderly population, providing them with crucial financial and medical support.
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