look news india
New Delhi. The government has announced to extend the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman Bharat Yojana) to all citizens aged 70 years and above. The National Health Authority (NHA), the organization running the Ayushman scheme, is considering the need to add more health packages for the elderly in this scheme, so that the elderly can get better health services. If this happens, the elderly will be able to get free treatment for most diseases in registered government and private hospitals. It is noteworthy that last month itself, the Narendra Modi cabinet had announced to bring all the elderly aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their financial status, under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat scheme. This announcement of the government is expected to benefit about 6 crore senior citizens and about 4.5 crore families of the country.
According to the report of news agency PTI, official sources have informed that the extended scheme can be implemented by the end of this month. Six crore citizens of about 4.5 crore families will directly benefit from this. The committee that decides on the health benefit package is considering what other health packages can be added to the Ayushman scheme.
Comprehensive coverage of the scheme
The current scheme covers 1,949 medical procedures, covering 27 different medical specialties such as general medicine, surgery, cancer and cardiology. Under this, hospital services, medicines, diagnostic services, food and accommodation are provided free of cost to the beneficiaries. Hospitalization services due to mental health problems like Alzheimer's and dementia are also covered under this Ayushman scheme.
Free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh
People who have Ayushman card can get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh through it. As of September 1, a total of 29,648 hospitals, including 12,696 private hospitals, were listed under the Ayushman scheme. This scheme is currently applicable in 33 states and union territories. However, it has not been implemented yet in Delhi, Odisha and West Bengal.