Delhi Govt Opens Geriatric OPD At Indira Gandhi Hospital, Over 2.4 Mln Senior Citizens To Benefit

Senior citizens in Delhi can avail of outpatient department (OPD) consultations on priority at Indira Gandhi Hospital in Dwarka. The Delhi government inaugurated the dedicated geriatric care OPD at this government hospital on July 13, 2026. Senior citizens (60 years and above) can access priority healthcare services at the hospital’s OPD centre.

Geriatric care needs attention, as the senior population is growing rapidly in India. In the case of Delhi, the elderly population (60 years and above) is projected to be 2.42 million (24,24,000) this year (2026), making up 10.75 per cent of the total population of the city, as per the Economic Survey of Delhi, 2025-26 data.

Here are the details of the projected population of senior citizens in Delhi over 25 years.

Projected Population Of Senior Citizens In Delhi (2011-2036)

·       6.93 per cent (11,47,445) in 2011

·       8.01 per cent (14,96,000) in 2016

·       9.26 per cent (19,04,000) in 2021

·       10.75 per cent (24,24,000) of the total population in 2026

·       12.45 per cent (30,56,000) in 2031

·       14.20 per cent (37,77,000) in 2036

Source: Economic Survey of Delhi, 2025-26

After launching the OPD facility, Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), “This special clinic will provide senior citizens with expert consultation and dedicated treatment for age-related health issues, ensuring they receive quality healthcare services at one convenient location. This is a significant and commendable initiative towards honouring senior citizens, safeguarding their health, and ensuring a better quality of life.”

This dedicated OPD for the elderly can support them in conveniently seeking consultation without waiting in a queue.

Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Member of Parliament, who was also present on the occasion, posted, “This clinic will provide senior citizens with specialised medical consultations, treatment, and better healthcare services for health issues all in one place. This initiative is an important step towards ensuring respect, better health, and a dignified life for our elders.”

While the government’s flagship public healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, provides all the elderly aged 70 and above with health insurance of Rs 5 lakh, OPD cover remains outside its ambit. People have to spend from their own pocket for OPD, which may go up to thousands in case of chronic issues the elderly typically face. Amid this, such a geriatric OPD healthcare facility may assist the elderly.

This newly launched geriatric clinic will offer a separate registration counter, priority access to people aged 60 years and above for accessing diagnostic services and treatment across various specialities, such as X-ray, injection room, and physiotherapy services, per PTI.

The minister noted the hospital’s voluntary blood donation initiative and appreciated the effort, saying such initiatives would strengthen healthcare infrastructure and patient-centric services, especially for the vulnerable sections and senior citizens.