Minister gives Ayushman cards to elderly persons at Janakpuri
Taking a significant step towards universal healthcare access in the national capital, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Sunday distributed Ayushman cards to senior citizens at a felicitation and public welcome ceremony in Janakpuri here.
The event witnessed a large turnout of elderly persons and marked the rollout of a strengthened version of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, Sood said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Capital has joined the national healthcare mission with an enhanced benefit.
“While the PM-JAY offers Rs 5 lakh coverage, the Delhi Government will provide an additional Rs 5 lakh, raising the total to Rs 10 lakh per beneficiary,” he announced.
Calling it a “healthcare revolution,” the minister said the scheme would relieve families of financial strain during medical emergencies and ensure access to quality treatment at empanelled hospitals across India.
“Illness should not be a burden. This scheme is not only about protection but also about restoring dignity to our people,” he said.
Sood also criticised the previous AAP government for delaying the implementation of the PM-JAY in Delhi. He described the launch as a major milestone in building a “Viksit Delhi” and reiterated the government’s focus on expanding affordable and quality healthcare for all sections of society.
Nearly 5,000 get cards at Vikaspuri
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP General Secretary and MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Sunday distributed Ayushman cards among nearly 5,000 senior citizens in Vikaspuri. The event, held at a banquet hall, was presided over by former MLA OP Babbar and attended by several party leaders and local representatives.
Calling the scheme a “lifesaving boon,” MP Sehrawat said, “This initiative of the Modi government is not just about healthcare, it’s about giving dignity and confidence to every family. Now illness will no longer be a financial burden. Citizens of Delhi will be able to get treatment freely and without any obstacles.”
She said the Ayushman card empowers citizens to avail of free treatment not only in Delhi but also in empanelled hospitals across the country. “This is a transformative step towards universal healthcare,” she said.
The distribution drive was lauded by local residents, especially elderly beneficiaries who expressed relief at the financial security health cards promise. Many of them said they had long struggled to afford treatment for chronic conditions and were grateful for the initiative.
Delhi