Ayushman Bharat scheme: Free medical treatment for citizens over 70

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu announced on Thursday that all citizens aged above 70 years will receive free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. This declaration was made during her address to the joint sitting of Parliament in New Delhi.

President Murmu highlighted the progress of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which currently provides free health services to 55 crore beneficiaries. "Further, the Government is going to take yet another decision in this area. Now all the elderly above 70 years of age will also be covered and get the benefit of free treatment under Ayushman Bharat Yojana," she said.

In addition to expanding healthcare coverage, President Murmu noted that the rapid establishment of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country. These centers aim to provide affordable medicines to the public.

The AB-PMJAY is recognized as the largest publicly funded health insurance scheme in the world, offering health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 12 crore families. The scheme mandates State Health Agencies (SHAs) to empanel hospitals under the Hospital Empanelment and Management (HEM) guidelines, ensuring extensive healthcare access.

(with agency inputs)

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