Prime Minister Modi has launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for citizens aged 70 and above, providing them with the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. With this initiative, all senior citizens can now benefit from the scheme regardless of their income. Additionally, the U-WIN portal was also launched today, enhancing access to health records and vaccinations.
Today, on the occasion of Dhanteras and Ayurveda Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted senior citizens with the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card at an event held at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi. This marks the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for citizens aged 70 and above. During the event, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation for various health projects worth ₹12,850 crore.
Benefits for All Senior Citizens
The scheme will benefit all senior citizens, irrespective of income level, whether poor, middle-class, or wealthy. This effectively removes the income limit for senior citizens under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. However, the income limit remains applicable to other age groups. Beneficiaries can receive free treatment up to ₹5 lakh at over 29,000 empaneled hospitals across 33 states and union territories, with only residents of Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal excluded.
How to Apply
- Visit the official website of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana (https://beneficiary.nha.gov.in/).
- Enter personal details and submit.
- Select “Apply” under family details.
- Complete the application form and upload documents.
- Validate through OTP and submit the form.
- Finally, download the Ayushman Card.
Diseases Covered Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Beneficiaries can receive free treatment for severe illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, kidney ailments, COVID-19, cataracts, dengue, malaria, and joint replacement. Additionally, surgeries like prostate cancer treatment, coronary artery bypass, knee and hip replacement, skull base surgery, pediatric surgery, and radiation oncology are covered in both government and private hospitals. However, recent updates exclude some treatments from private hospitals, like cataract surgery and malaria treatment, which are now limited to government hospitals.
U-WIN Portal Launch
PM Modi also introduced the U-WIN portal, an electronic registry for vaccinations. It will store digital vaccination records for pregnant women and children to ensure an organized digital database.
