In a landmark healthcare initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched health insurance coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their income, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The announcement came during an event at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, coinciding with Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day celebrations.
The scheme, called Ayushman Vaya Vandana, offers senior citizens up to Rs 5 lakh annually in free healthcare coverage. It marks a significant expansion of Modi’s flagship Ayushman Bharat initiative, which previously targeted only economically vulnerable households. “This initiative ensures accessible and affordable healthcare for all senior citizens,” read an official statement by the Press Information Bureau on X.
During the event, PM Modi presented the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card to beneficiaries and highlighted the inclusive spirit of the new initiative, which promises exclusive coverage to seniors who may require dedicated healthcare services. Importantly, senior citizens from families already covered by AB PM-JAY will receive an additional top-up of Rs 5 lakh per year specifically for those over 70, separate from coverage shared with younger family members.
However, Modi noted that the governments of Delhi and West Bengal have opted out of the scheme, limiting access for seniors in these regions. “I apologize to all the elderly people above 70 years of age in Delhi and West Bengal that I will not be able to serve you. Political interests are preventing this service for the elderly people of these states,” he said.
Alongside this initiative, the Prime Minister also unveiled development projects worth nearly Rs 12,850 crore. Among them is Phase II of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, featuring a Panchakarma hospital, Ayurvedic pharmacy, sports medicine unit, library, IT startup incubation centre, and a 500-seat auditorium.
In a further push for healthcare accessibility, Modi also launched drone services at 11 tertiary healthcare institutions across India, including AIIMS in Rishikesh, Bibinagar, and Guwahati. The drone initiative, designed to enhance service delivery, aligns with Modi’s emphasis on technological innovation in healthcare.
To further expand emergency medical services, Modi inaugurated a helicopter emergency medical service from AIIMS Rishikesh, aiming to ensure swift response times and medical access, especially in remote areas.
