Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Cards Achieve Milestone in Elderly Healthcare in India

Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Cards Achieve Milestone in Elderly Healthcare in India

New Delhi, November 17, 2024 - In a significant milestone, the Ayushamn Bharat Vay Vandana Cards have achieved substantial participation, with over 10 lakh senior citizens aged 70 and above enrolling for the scheme. The cards, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on October 29, 2024, grant beneficiaries access to comprehensive healthcare benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

This initiative reflects India's commitment to Universal Health Coverage and has redefined the nation's approach to healthcare by offering substantial health coverage to its most vulnerable citizens. By launching this expansion, the Union Cabinet aimed to extend benefits to approximately 6 crore senior citizens across 4.5 crore families.

Under the Vay Vandana Card, eligible seniors will enjoy free treatment in hospitals, with no income limit or cap on family size or age. The card is expected to significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for elderly individuals at home.

Since its launch, PM-JAY has made notable strides in its implementation: 35,45,10,568 Ayushman Cards created, 6,50,59,465 hospital admissions authorised, and 30,745 empanelled hospitals on board. The total value of authorised admissions amounts to Rs 81,979 crore INR.

The participation rate for the Vay Vandana Card is promising, with over 4 lakh enrolments by females alone. Treatments worth over Rs 9 crore have been authorized, benefiting more than 4,800 senior citizens. These include a range of conditions such as coronary angioplasty, hip fractures/replacement, gallbladder removal, cataract surgery, prostate resection, and stroke.

The Ayushaman Bharat Vay Vandana Cards are an essential aspect of the Ayushman Bharat PM JAY initiative, strengthening India's commitment to making healthcare accessible to all. The continued focus on holistic and accessible health solutions reinforces PM-JAY's role as a cornerstone of the nation's health infrastructure and a model for universal healthcare globally.

For more information related to application for Vay Vandana card, please visit:

https://nha.gov.in/PM-JAY

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a flagship program of the Government of India, aiming to provide substantial health coverage to its most vulnerable citizens. The scheme reflects India's commitment to Universal Health Coverage.

About the Author:

Santosh Kumar, Ritu Kataria, and Madiha Iqbal are members of our team.