Ayushman Bharat Yojana: 1.69 Lakh Cards Ready For Distribution In Delhi, Senior Citizens Are On Priority

Ayushman Bharat Yojana (ABY) is now available in 35 states, including Delhi and Odisha, which were earlier not part of it. In Delhi, it was formally launched on April 10, 2025. According to the media reports, around 1,69,000 Ayushman cards have been issued to eligible applicants in Delhi. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta asked the government representatives to expedite the distribution of these cards with a focus on senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

Note that the scheme was launched in 2018 for people belonging to the economically weaker section of the society, listed in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) of 2011. In October 2024, the government extended the scheme to all seniors aged 70 years, irrespective of their socio-economic background.

According to the government estimates, Ayushman Yojana can benefit around six lakh senior citizens and 4.5 lakh families in Delhi.

Medical inflation has been rising in two- digits for the last few years. This makes it difficult to get oneself treated if there is no health insurance coverage. However, the premium gets higher as one ages almost making it unaffordable for those who don’t have pension security or any other source of sufficient income.

The chief minister held a meeting with other ministers in the cabinet. After the meeting, she told the media that 1.69 lakh cards had already been issued, and she asked MLAs to help people in their areas get the cards. She also informed that 1,139 Arogya Mandirs will be opened in different localities in Delhi to provide healthcare facilities to maximum citizens.

While talking about the discussions held at the meeting, she also said, “Delhi has suffered a lot due to the time wasted by the previous governments. We don’t want to waste more time. Our government will start working on this from today itself”. 

Under the scheme, the beneficiaries are insured with Rs 5 lakh of health insurance. They can also access Arogya Mandirs (formerly known as health and wellness centre), which provides comprehensive healthcare services such as preventive, rehabilitative, and palliative care.

She said that 14-15 Arogya Mandir will be established in each assembly constituency to provide primary care and preventive medicines.

Gupta said that public representatives and district magistrates have been asked to identify the sites for opening these centres and provide the list to the health department.

She also said that there will be one integrated public health laboratory and nine critical care blocks will also be established soon.