Latest news with #PM-JAY
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM: Over 330K registered under PM-JAY, Vay Vandana Yojana
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said that 330,369 beneficiaries have been registered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), and 154,116 senior citizens have enrolled under the Vay Vandana Yojana since launch. She added that instructions have been issued to accelerate the registration process for the remaining eligible individuals. 'The government is actively working to further expand the reach of these initiatives. Under PM-JAY and Vay Vandana Yojana, all eligible beneficiaries can avail of treatment up to ₹10 lakh at empanelled hospitals,' Gupta said, adding that 729 citizens in Delhi have already availed of benefits under these schemes since launch. According to the CM, 83 hospitals in Delhi are currently empanelled under the schemes—59 private and 24 government-run. She also highlighted that patients requiring treatment not available in the city can access services at empanelled hospitals across India. Gupta further highlighted the government's commitment to enhancing awareness and accessibility to these health schemes, especially among vulnerable populations such as senior citizens.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Bihar: Motihari beneficiaries count benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme, thank govt
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) - the largest publicly funded health assurance scheme in the world, providing health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation, is yielding considerable results in the city as thousands of residents have registered themselves for the scheme and are also drawing benefits from it. Unlike earlier, people from the lower and middle class background are getting themselves treated at hospitals without any expense. Those suffering from diseases are undergoing treatment in private hospitals of Motihari and also getting operated upon the PM-JAY. Many patients spoke to IANS, sharing how got operated on for hernia and other diseases like appendix, without accruing any financial burden. Beneficiary Virendra Shah said: "This scheme is very beneficial as the treatment of disease has become very expensive." Prem Kumar said: "If this scheme had not been introduced by the government, poor people like us would have either had to mortgage our jewellery or sell our land, but now, thanks to the government's scheme, we are getting treatment without spending a single rupee." A female beneficiary, Sangeeta Kumar, said: "We had got the Ayushman card made a long time ago. When we knew that treatment is being done under this scheme in this hospital, we came here. We are thankful to the government." Dr. Ajay Verma, a city doctor treating these patients also praised the PM-JAY. "Earlier, if farmers or poor people had a major illness and needed treatment, they had to sell rice and wheat or mortgage their jewellery to get treatment. But, PM-JAY is giving new life to people. People now come to the hospital without paying any money and go after getting treatment. Earlier they used to worry about both the disease and money, but now this does not happen," he told IANS.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Won't demolish slums, dwellers are city's lifeline: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta
New Delhi: Describing slum dwellers as service providers and the lifeline of Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday assured that no slum colonies in the city will be demolished without rehabilitation. She also announced that Rs 700 crore has been allocated for carrying out development works like toilets and washrooms for women in slums. In a special conversation hosted by actor Anupam Kher at the '100 Din Sewa Ke' event organised at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to mark 100 days of the BJP government, CM Gupta sympathised with slum dwellers in the city, saying, 'None of the previous governments really cared for them. They have been living in slums for decades.' Dismissing rumours spread by the opposition regarding slum demolitions, she said, 'Unless every slum dweller receives a permanent home, they will continue to live in their current shelter — but with improved facilities and dignity.' Criticising the previous AAP government and its false promises, CM Gupta said, 'While they sat in Sheeshmahal, we have rebuilt Delhi with honesty.' She also highlighted how the PM-JAY health insurance scheme was approved in the very first Cabinet meeting. On the health front, the CM said, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has also been implemented across hospitals, where Jan Aushadhi Kendras are being set up. Further, advanced healthcare units such as LMU, NAT testing, and a medical genetics ward have been established at Lok Nayak Hospital, ensuring high-quality care. Talking about achievements in the education sector, she said, 'While previous governments only focused on publicity, we approved the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation & Regulation of Fees) Bill 2025 to end the arbitrariness of private schools.' The CM also hit out at the previous AAP government for leaving behind mountains of waste, turning Delhi into a landfill. She said her government has taken concrete steps to eliminate these legacy waste sites, as 24x7 legacy waste processing has been started, with about 30,000 metric tonnes of garbage being biomined daily. 'Waste-to-energy plant installations are progressing swiftly. The target is to completely remove the Bhalaswa and Okhla landfill sites within the next two years,' she said. Currently, Delhi has four operational waste-to-energy plants, and two new plants in Narela and Ghazipur are under rapid construction. Expansions of the Okhla and Tehkhand plants are also underway. Moreover, a modern e-waste park is being developed in Holambi Kalan, she said. Talking about environmental protection, CM Gupta criticised the previous government for turning Delhi into a gas chamber. In contrast, she said, her government has prioritised pollution control by deploying 1,000 sprinklers throughout the year and approving 70 advanced mechanical road sweeping machines. 'Installation of smog guns in all high-rise buildings has also been made mandatory. Additionally, under the DEVi (Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector) initiative, 460 electric buses have been introduced for last-mile connectivity, and 2,000 more electric buses will be added by the end of the year,' she said. On the Yamuna River, the CM highlighted that the previous government merely put up a show in the name of cleaning the river, while untreated sewage continued to flow into it. In contrast, her government made the rejuvenation of Yamuna a top priority from day one, she said.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
100 days in, health minister says Delhi's health infra received robust push
Three months into its term, the BJP government in Delhi has begun addressing longstanding gaps in the Capital's healthcare system, health minister Dr Pankaj Singh said on Friday — rolling out insurance schemes, pushing diagnostic upgrades, and cracking down on hospitals flouting fire safety norms. Speaking to HIndustan Times on Friday, Singh said over 300,000 Ayushman Bharat insurance cards have been issued so far, with 601 patients already admitted for treatment under the scheme. Further expanding on the data, Singh said more than 316,000 Ayushman Bharat health insurance cards have been issued since April — 175,060 under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for residents under 70, and 141,174 under the Vaya Vandana Yojana for senior citizens aged above 70. PM-JAY was launched in Delhi on April 5, followed by the rollout of the Vaya Vandana scheme on April 28. The latter provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh annually per family for eligible citizens above the age of 70. The government has also begun automatic card issuance for all beneficiaries in this category. So far, Singh said, 601 patients have received treatment under PM-JAY. Crackdown on fire safety violations in hospitals Following a Hindustan Times report highlighting lapses in fire safety clearances at three major government hospitals — Lok Nayak, Ambedkar Nagar and Bhagwan Mahavir — Singh acknowledged the issue and attributed the gaps to administrative neglect by previous governments. 'Lok Nayak is now close to receiving its no objection certificate from the fire department after implementing the necessary changes. Ambedkar Nagar is also being brought up to code,' he said. He added that 10 private hospitals have been denied NOCs due to non-compliance and given 45 days to rectify violations. 'Failure to comply will result in cancellation of their licenses,' he said. New tenders to ease medicine shortage On reports of shortages of essential drugs in government hospitals, Singh said inefficiency by previous vendors led to supply disruptions. 'We've cancelled their contracts and initiated a new tendering process. Going forward, half the medicines will be procured centrally, and the rest sourced locally to streamline delivery.' Diagnostic upgrades across 36 hospitals To reduce dependency on private centres for costly diagnostics, the government plans to install MRI and CT scan machines across all 36 government hospitals under a public-private partnership model. Singh said the services will be capped at ₹2,500 per scan, with rollout details being finalised. Inquiry into Delhi Medical Council On the proposed dissolution of the Delhi Medical Council amid allegations of irregularities, Singh said the matter is under review. 'A report has been sent to the Lieutenant Governor. Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Dr Rati Makkar will oversee council operations.' Addressing concerns over rising respiratory infections, Singh said there was no COVID outbreak in the city. 'It's a seasonal viral wave. The infections are mild and self-limiting — there is no cause for panic.' .'
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
100 days of BJP rule in Delhi: Ayushman Bharat off to a smooth start, Arogya Mandirs still await impact
In its first 100 days in power in Delhi, the ruling BJP has delivered one of its key promises — implementing the Centre's flagship Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme, which claims to be the largest-of-its-kind health insurance scheme in the world. The rebranding of the primary healthcare centres — from mohalla clinics under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to Arogya Mandirs — is yet to make an impact. Reality check With at least 550 patients availing services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, 62 hospitals being empanelled under the state health authority, and 3.16 lakh beneficiaries being registered, the scheme appears to be off to a smooth start. Sources say more than 30,000 beneficiaries — aged 70 and above — have registered under the insurance scheme that gives a total health cover of Rs 10 lakh. Beneficiaries are selected based on National Food Security Act (NFSA) data, and Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011. While Centre offers a cover of Rs 5 lakh, the Delhi government provides an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh to those eligible, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had said after the Delhi Cabinet's first meeting. The government has also provided Ayushman cards for senior citizens aged 70 and above, eligible to get their medical expenses covered at empanelled government and private hospitals in the city, under Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). The Delhi government has planned to deploy mobile vans across the city for door-to-door registration for elderly citizens. However, the challenge for the government is the empanelment of private hospitals, as major players such as Apollo and Max hospitals, are yet to get onboard. The National Health Authority (NHA) dashboard says a total of 93 hospitals have been empanelled, which includes 82 private hospitals and 11 public hospitals. The list accessed by The Indian Express mentioned a total of 62 hospitals, including both private and public hospitals. Of the 62 private hospitals providing services under Ayushman Bharat, nine are dedicated eye care hospitals. Along with this, hospitals also had general medicine, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology and cardiology. Representing the Association of Healthcare Providers, India (APHI), Dr Vipender Sabherwal, convenor for the Ayushman Bharat scheme, says, 'It's a very good scheme but we need to do a reality check'. 'We have been in touch with the Union Health Ministry and the government officials on pricing and rates, which do not match the requirements of any good hospitals with all facilities. The amount, which is being offered to the hospitals is meagre, and not practical. Even our payments were not being made on time under Ayushman Bharat. Even the big names,' he adds. Dr Vipender Sabherwal says the doctors' associations will get in touch with the government again to discuss things. AHPI represents about 15,000 private hospitals, including Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal, Medanta, Narayana and Apollo. How primary healthcare fared With the shutting of mohalla clinics and the setting up of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, not much has changed when it comes to primary healthcare in the city. Soon after coming to power, the BJP government decided to establish Jan Arogya Mandirs in place of AAP's flagship mohalla clinics and Delhi government dispensaries. While the Jan Arogya Mandir is yet to be officially inaugurated, the BJP government has readied at least four such clinics — one each in Todapur, Bhanwar Singh Camp in Vasant Vihar, Mayapuri and Inderpuri. This is part of the Centre's flagship Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission scheme (PM-ABHIM), which has been implemented in the Capital. Officials have received instructions to complete the construction of 33 Ayushman Arogya Mandir by May 29. The distribution of these 33 centres includes 20 facilities being established in Public Works Department (PWD) structures, including one at the Delhi Secretariat. Additionally, 11 centres will operate from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) locations, while two will be situated in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) buildings. Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh had said that the government will open 200 such centres in the next two months. The Arogya Mandir provides 12 comprehensive service packages, including maternal and child healthcare, vaccinations, mental health services, elderly care, and treatment for communicable diseases. When The Indian Express visited an Arogya mandir in Central Delhi's Inderpuri, locals said the clinic is providing similar services as it was providing when it was a mohalla clinic. The facility is supposed to maintain an essential drug list of 256 medicines. In-house tests will be made available for blood sugar, haemoglobin, blood group, urine, pregnancy, among others. Ninety other tests will be outsourced to Agilus Lab. Free dialysis CM Rekha Gupta had announced adding 300 dialysis machines across 16 government hospitals in the first 100 days of her rule, making free dialysis services available to the economically weaker sections and subsidised treatment available to all others. Currently, 150 dialysis machines are operational at Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital (North West), Guru Gobind Singh Govt. Hospital (West), Indira Gandhi Hospital (South West), Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital (South), Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital (North West), Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital (West), Maharishi Valmiki Hospital (North), Lok Nayak Hospital (Central), Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (Shahdara), and Dr. Hedgewar Aarogya Sansthan (Shahdara). An additional 150 dialysis machines are now being installed at six more government facilities: Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar Hospital (North West), Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital (North East), Burari Hospital (Central), Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital (West), Ambedkar Nagar Hospital (South), and Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital (North West). These additions will expand the capacity and geographic reach of free and subsidized dialysis services for Delhi's citizens. This initiative is being implemented under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program (PMNDP) and PPP Dialysis Project of the Delhi government. It includes 150 machines already operational under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) and PPP Dialysis Project. An additional 150 machines are now being added as part of improving public healthcare infrastructure. Of the 300 dialysis units in Delhi government hospitals, many are yet to be installed.
