City leads in Ayushman Vay Vandan scheme
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Describing the scheme as a 'revolutionary step in health conservation', district magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh said it offers critical health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh to senior citizens, enabling access to free treatment for serious ailments. A total of 228 hospitals in the district have been empanelled under the scheme to provide cashless treatment.
"The scheme is a major relief for the elderly who are often denied insurance coverage or are subjected to stringent conditions by private insurance companies," Singh said.
"Now, diseases such as heart ailments, cancer, kidney failure, and stroke are being treated free of cost under this initiative."
The DM reiterated that the scheme does not require any income certificate or ration card. "Any Indian citizen aged 70 or above is eligible. Only an Aadhaar card is needed to avail the benefit," the DM said, adding that the scheme also ensures portability, allowing beneficiaries to avail treatment anywhere in the country.
Treatment covered under the Ayushman card includes heart surgeries like bypass and valve replacement, pacemaker implants, cancer therapies including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, brain tumour and stroke care, neurosurgeries, dialysis, orthopaedic and ENT surgeries, among others.
"Our goal is to ensure that no eligible elderly citizen is left out," Singh said.
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