In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility in the capital, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta distributed the first batch of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) cards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This distribution comes shortly after the Delhi government inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the central government, marking an important collaboration. Registration for the scheme, which promises substantial healthcare benefits, is now open to the general public.
The AB PM-JAY scheme aims to provide comprehensive health cover of ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations. In an additional commitment, the Delhi government has pledged an extra ₹5 lakh cover, significantly boosting healthcare access for its residents. Highlighting the transformative potential of this initiative, Nanno Begum, a 69-year-old resident of Chandni Chowk and one of the 30 initial beneficiaries, expressed relief. “We wouldn’t go to hospitals because we do not have the means,” she said, sharing her past struggles with limited healthcare access.
At the event, another significant agreement was signed for the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which focuses on enhancing the capacities of health systems across all levels. This initiative aims to better prepare health infrastructures for effectively handling current and future pandemics and disasters.
The government is also prioritizing the inclusion of ASHA and anganwadi workers, acknowledging their critical role in community healthcare. Anusaya, an ASHA worker who received her card during the event, stated, “We have always been at the forefront, helping other people battle illnesses. I’m glad that we, too, can now benefit from the scheme.”
Currently, 46 private hospitals in Delhi are being empanelled under the scheme. Comprehensive training programs are underway to equip healthcare workers with the necessary skills to assist beneficiaries with the online registration process. Alongside distributing cards, the event announced the creation of 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) under PM-ABHIM. These facilities will include expanded healthcare services such as cancer screening, dental check-ups, and yoga classes, in addition to the existing Mohalla Clinic offerings.
Union Health Minister Nadda emphasized the collaborative achievement and noted that Delhi’s joining leaves West Bengal as the only state yet to implement the scheme. In a critical perspective, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar criticized the scheme for its perceived limitations. She argued that while it caps medical coverage at ₹10 lakh, the previous AAP government provided unlimited free treatment, stating, “Ayushman Bharat caps medical cover at ₹10 lakh per family whereas under the AAP government scheme, there was no cap and free treatment was provided for everyone.”
Amidst political discourse, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh reaffirmed the commitment to Ayushman Bharat, describing it as more than just a scheme but a dedicated pledge to the people. Despite criticisms, the initiative stands as a significant development in Delhi’s healthcare landscape, promising to enhance medical access and capacity across the region.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/pm-jay-scheme-rollout-begins-in-delhi-with-30-beneficiaries-getting-their-ayushman-cards/article69436919.ece
Category : Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-04-11 02:10:00
