On the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti and Ayurveda Day, October 29, 2024, multiple health initiatives worth ₹12,850 crore were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi. A pivotal announcement was made, declaring that all citizens aged 70 years and above would receive free medical treatment in hospitals. This initiative, enabled through the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, is being introduced as part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Over 10 lakh senior citizens have already enrolled for the card, ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare benefits.
Background of the Initiative
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card forms a critical part of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY initiative, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 23, 2018. Aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage, the scheme is recognized as the largest health assurance initiative globally. It provides ₹5 lakh annual hospitalisation coverage per family, benefiting approximately 55 crore individuals from vulnerable sections of society. Families identified using Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 data are included in the scheme.
PM-JAY offers extensive benefits, including:
• Coverage for pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses
• Free diagnostic services and medical implants
• Non-intensive and intensive care services
• Medications and follow-up consultations
• Comprehensive food and accommodation facilities
Unlike earlier health schemes such as the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), PM-JAY places no restrictions on family size or age and includes coverage for pre-existing conditions from the very first day of enrollment.
Significant Progress
Since its launch, PM-JAY has achieved remarkable milestones:
• Over 35.45 crore Ayushman Cards have been issued.
• Nearly 6.5 crore hospital admissions have been authorised, with ₹81,979 crore worth of treatments covered.
• More than 30,700 hospitals have been empanelled, including over 17,000 public and 13,000 private institutions.
These achievements underline the vast scope of the scheme, which continues to transform healthcare accessibility across the nation.
Introduction of Ayushman Vay Vandana Card
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, launched on October 29, 2024, extends PM-JAY benefits exclusively to senior citizens aged 70 and above, covering nearly 6 crore elderly individuals across 4.5 crore families. The card provides free healthcare access irrespective of income level, targeting both urban and rural elderly populations.
Within three weeks of its introduction, more than 10 lakh senior citizens have registered for the card. Approximately 4 lakh enrollees are women. Treatments worth ₹9 crore have already been authorised, benefiting over 4,800 seniors, including 1,400 women. The card facilitates treatment for various medical conditions such as coronary angioplasty, cataract surgery, hip replacement, and stroke management.
This initiative eliminates out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures for senior citizens, offering holistic support to this vulnerable group.
Vision for the Future
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive healthcare. By prioritizing elderly citizens, the scheme reinforces a focus on dignity, accessibility, and affordability. PM-JAY continues to be a cornerstone of India’s health infrastructure, setting a global benchmark for universal healthcare.
As India progresses towards its goal of comprehensive health coverage, the Ayushman Bharat initiative remains central to ensuring healthcare equity across diverse demographics.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)