Delhi HC To Hear Plea For Ayushman Bharat Scheme Implementation For Senior Citizens

The Delhi High Court will hear a petition on November 28, filed by BJP leaders, demanding the implementation of the Central Government’s Ayushman Bharat health scheme for senior citizens aged 70 and above in Delhi. The scheme promises free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per year for beneficiaries.

BJP Leaders Demand Health Scheme Rollout

The petitioners, including Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, MP Rambir Singh Vidhuri, MP Bansuri Swaraj, MP Manoj Tiwari, and Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, argued that senior citizens in Delhi are being deprived of the benefits of this key Central Government initiative.

Bansuri Swaraj highlighted that a High Court-directed committee found patients in Delhi facing harassment over documentation. She added that the Delhi government has not implemented the committee’s recommendations submitted in May.

Delhi High Court Criticizes State Government

The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the state of healthcare in Delhi. It remarked that hospital equipment remains non-functional despite significant expenditure by the government. The bench also noted a lack of coordination between Delhi’s Health Minister and Health Secretary.

The Economic Survey of Delhi 2023-24 revealed concerning trends in healthcare infrastructure. No new hospitals have been built in the last decade, while the number of hospitals declined from 94 to 92. Maternity homes dropped from 265 to 124, and nursing homes from 1,057 to 1,040.

The Delhi government’s lawyer cited bureaucratic challenges and a lack of cooperation as reasons for the delays in addressing the issue.

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