New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said that the distribution of Ayushman health cards for citizens aged 70 and above will begin on April 28 at Thyagaraj Stadium under the ‘Vaya Vandana Yojana‘. The initiative aims to ensure priority healthcare access for senior citizens across Delhi, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Chairing a high-level meeting at Delhi Secretariat, the chief minister reviewed preparations for the scheme’s implementation and the construction of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. She directed all district magistrates to identify suitable sites for the project and submit a list soon.
A total of 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been planned to be set up across the national capital, with 15 centres in each assembly constituency offering consultations, primary treatment, awareness and preventive services.
Gupta said that the facilities will be a “living symbol of the vision of proper healthcare for all”. The scheme, she added, was not merely a govt initiative, but an expression of gratitude towards the elderly members of society. “It is Delhi govt’s endeavour to ensure that no senior citizen is deprived of quality healthcare services,” the chief minister said.
Health services under Vaya Vandana Yojana will be free for registered senior citizens and their health records will be digitised through unique health cards, said Gupta.
During the meeting, which was attended by Delhi health minister Pankaj Kumar Singh and law minister Kapil Mishra, the chief minister instructed all public representatives to compile lists of citizens aged 70 and above in their respective constituencies.
Registration for health cards is set to begin on April 28 at district offices and other designated locations. So far, 169,000 Ayushman cards have been generated and will be distributed through district authorities with the support of public representatives, said the chief minister.
With advancing age comes an increase in illnesses and, in such situations, the Vaya Vandana Yojana will serve as a strong medium of relief and protection, Gupta said. “Senior citizens are in an age group that needs medical care the most. Delhi govt is fully accountable to them and will ensure that they receive complete care on a priority basis,” she added.
The chief minister assured that the scheme will soon be implemented in Delhi, benefiting lakhs of elderly citizens.
