Overview

• Delhi has officially launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with the first beneficiaries receiving Ayushman Cards granting cashless treatment for 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties.
• Prime Minister Modi emphasized the scheme’s role in ensuring free medical care and dignity for senior citizens during an event in Varanasi, where he distributed Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards.
• Odisha introduced a Unified Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme, merging state and central programs to provide healthcare coverage for 3.5 crore residents, including special provisions for women and senior citizens.
• The Odisha government has allocated Rs 27,019 crore over five years to support the scheme’s implementation, ensuring sustainable healthcare access for its citizens.
• The Ayushman Bharat initiative now guarantees immediate and comprehensive medical coverage for senior citizens, addressing long-standing gaps in public healthcare delivery.