Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana: Comprehensive Healthcare for Senior Citizens
Launched in September 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ranchi, Jharkhand, the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana aims to provide universal healthcare to senior citizens in India, particularly those aged 70 and above, offering them financial relief and access to essential medical services.
Key Highlights of the Scheme:
- Launched by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Launch Date: September 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Nodal Agency: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Administered under: PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat) for structured implementation
- Empaneled Hospitals: Implemented in a wide network of hospitals across both urban and rural areas
- Tracking and Accountability: Centralized digital system for tracking treatments and expenses
Aims and Objectives:
The scheme focuses on ensuring that senior citizens have access to comprehensive healthcare services:
- Universal Healthcare: Offering healthcare coverage to senior citizens across the country.
- Financial Relief: Reducing the financial burden on senior citizens by covering out-of-pocket expenses.
- Preventive Healthcare: Encouraging preventive measures for age-related health conditions.
Targeted Beneficiaries:
- Senior citizens aged 70 years and above are eligible for benefits under this scheme.
Funding and Coverage:
- The scheme is funded under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, ensuring that senior citizens can access medical treatments without the worry of high expenses.
- Free Treatment for approximately 2,000 medical procedures.
- Additional coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for those already enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Coverage: The scheme covers medical consultations, treatments, hospitalization expenses, and even complex procedures such as angioplasty.
- Nationwide Implementation: Available in empaneled hospitals across the country, ensuring wide access to healthcare services.
- Transparency and Accountability: A centralized digital system tracks treatments and expenses to ensure full accountability and transparency in the healthcare process.
The Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana stands as a significant initiative to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to senior citizens, enabling them to live a healthier and more secure life. Through this scheme, the government is making healthcare more inclusive, reducing financial barriers for senior citizens, and promoting a focus on preventive care.