Latest news with #VayaVandanaYojana
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.' .'
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM Gupta reviews emergency preparedness of hospitals, directs for ready medical facilities
New Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday held a meeting with senior health officials of the Delhi government hospitals to review emergency preparedness in the light of the ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan, officials said. Gupta directed the senior officials of various hospitals to ensure that all medical facilities remain fully prepared for any emergency situation, said a government statement. She also instructed all government hospitals in Delhi to immediately establish fully equipped emergency wards, formulating SOPs, conducting mock drills and advance stockpiling of supplies, it said. The chief minister after the meeting said it is being ensured that there is no shortage of staff or medicines in the hospitals so that they are ready to meet any circumstances. "Our hospitals should be ready to meet any circumstances and serve people. I got update of the arrangements in the hospitals from the medical directors," she told reporters. Gupta said it is being ensured that there is no shortage of staff or medicines, adding the hospitals and doctors should be ready for any circumstances. Health Minister Pankaj Singh said the Delhi government hospitals and staff are ready for any emergency. Singh said that although there was no need of disaster wards as of now, but some beds were reserved especially for emergency situations. "All our hospitals are ready for any emergency with all necessary equipments. We discussed the issue in the meeting. Every facility will be provided in our hospitals in case of any eventuality," he added. Singh further said all emergency medicines are available in the hospitals. "Delhi government hospitals and staff are ready for any emergency," he added. Instructions were also given to Delhi hospitals to provide world-class health services to ensure better treatment to patients under Ayushman Bharat and Vaya Vandana Yojana, said a Delhi government statement. The goal is to upgrade Delhi's hospitals and make the healthcare model more efficient and exemplary, the chief minister said in the statement. Taking serious note of recurring medicine shortages in the Delhi government hospitals, Gupta instructed officials to find an immediate solution, it said. The chief minister said the Delhi Cabinet has approved two key proposals that will enhance hospital efficiency and patient services. It was the chief minister's first meeting with the medical superintendents and directors of the Delhi government hospitals. Earlier last month, the government had transferred the directors and medical superintendents of 26 Delhi government hospitals.
India Today
04-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Delhi rolls out mobile vans to enrol seniors in health scheme
Delhi has commenced 70 mobile registration vans on May 3, 2025. Each Convoy is dedicated to one of the 70 Assembly Constituencies of Delhi ensuring complete coverage of the Capital. The mobile vans will make neighbourhood registrations easier for the elderly, allowing them to enrol for Vaya Vandana Yojana without travelling to government offices.'The Vaya Vandana Yojana is also an important milestone in the journey of the Prime Minister's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. Taking this vision further, our government is now rolling out mobile vans to issue health cards to citizens above 70 years of age so they can avoid queueing and visiting offices. "This service will be brought to their doorsteps by the Delhi government,' said CM Gupta at the initiative's launch MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR ELDERLY CITIZENSThe Vaya Vandana Yojana, a subplan of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, provides cashless treatment facilities worth Rs 10 lakh to eligible elderly citizens. This is inclusive of an extra Rs 5 lakh from the Delhi government which adds to the existing Rs 5 under Ayushman Bharat. Registrations require submission of an Aadhaar Card and proof of residence in Delhi. With the Ayushman card, senior citizens can receive treatment at the hospital without prepaying anything. Claiming that 'the entire cost up to Rs 10 lakh will be covered by the government', CM Gupta said, 'There will be no need for any advance payments'.In the community, this scheme is well accepted, as more than 28,000 senior citizens have registered since the start of the scheme on April ACCESS TO HEALTHCAREMobile registration vans are being deployed for the elderly in order to ensure they face no barriers to accessing healthcare. This aims to eliminate all logistical challenges in enroling eligible senior citizens so that they seamlessly access the scheme that has been granted to initiative highlights the deepened focus of the Delhi Government on the welfare of senior citizens and implements the concept of accessible healthcare for everyone.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: Special vans to enrol senior citizens under health plan
Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday flagged off a fleet of registration vans from south Delhi's Munirka for doorstep registration of beneficiaries of the Delhi government's Vaya Vandana Yojana, aimed at providing cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh for senior citizens aged 70 and above. A total of 70 mobile vans will cover all 70 assembly constituencies in the Capital to facilitate easy and doorstep registration. 'The Vaya Vandana Yojana is also an important step in advancing the Prime Minister's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. Building upon this vision, our government is launching mobile vans to issue health cards to senior citizens aged 70 and above, ensuring they don't need to stand in queues or visit offices. The Delhi government will deliver this service at their doorsteps,' the CM said at the flagging off event on Friday. Officials said the vans will conduct on-the-spot registrations in local neighbourhoods. Every citizen aged 70 or more can obtain the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card simply by providing their Aadhaar and Delhi residence proof for registration. Delhi government has enhanced the ₹5 lakh health coverage provided under Ayushman Bharat by an additional ₹5 lakh, ensuring a ₹10 lakh cashless treatment benefit for senior citizens aged 70 and above. 'No one will need to make any advance payments at hospitals. Just present the Ayushman card and get the treatment. The entire cost up to ₹10 lakh will be covered by the government,' CM Gupta said. The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana is a pension scheme for the city's elderly. Under the scheme, over 28,000 registrations have been made so far since April 28.
India Today
29-04-2025
- Health
- India Today
Delhi government launches Vaya Vandana Yojana: Purpose and benefits
The government of Delhi initiated the Vaya Vandana Yojana scheme, a health pension plan exclusively designed for senior citizens, on April 28, 2025. Medical treatment to needy patients to the tune of Rs 10 lakh is offered free of cost to all resisters of Delhi, aged seventy and above, under this central government provides Rs 5 lakh and the Delhi Government subsidises it with another Rs 5 lakh. The beneficiaries are treated at about 100 empaneled hospitals where free check-ups, medicines, and even emergency treatment are senior citizens with an Aadhaar card have free treatment under the scheme. They can even get a health card which contains information about their medical history, routine check-ups, and details regarding services offered during an TOWARDS ELDERLY WELFARE Obligation towards elderly citizens was clearly mentioned by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta while launching the scheme. In her words, "seniors are the roots of our society, and it is their every need that becomes our topmost priority."Only goes on to show that the government's initiative named Vaya Vandana Yojana is not out of obligation, but instead, is a symbol of artful tribute captivation and reverence ordained for from the State Health Agency (SHA) specified that this is a supplementary scheme. If a family has several elderly people, each comes with a card, meaning that all eligible members at the family level are AND EXECUTIONadvertisementDistribution of health cards under the Vaya Vandana Yojana began on April 28, along with registration of beneficiaries at district offices and other areas publicly designated by government has instructed subordinates to prepare an enumeration list of citizens within the age limit of 70 years and above, offering support toward achieving the coverage, the scheme also adds to the offer of free health insurance assistance and additional services like healthcare, treatment, general medicine, and consultant physicians provided through district magistrates should appoint suitable people as supervisors of these centres all over Delhi.
