Bhopal has successfully issued Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards to 38,000 senior citizens, as part of the ongoing efforts to provide healthcare benefits to those aged 70 years and above. This initiative is being carried out across government and private hospitals, ensuring easy access to cashless medical treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The cards are available to all senior citizens who are 70 years or older, without any income or poverty criteria. Beneficiaries of the scheme can avail cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh in the affiliated hospitals. Those who have previously received an Ayushman card need to re-register in order to receive an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up, which will be separate from the family’s Rs 5 lakh coverage, offering individual benefits.

 

Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari, Chief Medical and Health Officer of Bhopal, highlighted that all major government and private hospitals in the district are linked with the Ayushman scheme, including 160 private hospitals in Bhopal. Some of the prominent government hospitals included are AIIMS, Hamidia Hospital, JP District Hospital, and Bhopal Memorial Hospital. The process of creating the Ayushman cards is quick and simple, taking only 5 to 10 minutes. Senior citizens can visit the hospitals and get their cards made through Ayushman Mitras by providing their Aadhaar and Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers. This initiative aims to offer senior citizens affordable and hassle-free healthcare services, with the goal of ensuring they receive quality medical treatment in times of need.