Stepped-up efforts by the district health authorities have resulted in the issuance of 38,000 medical assistance cards to senior citizens under the Ayushman Bharat Vandana scheme.
The cards ensure cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, with easy registration at both government and private hospitals. Benefits under the scheme are available for citizens aged 70 and above.
Releasing the data, the district health office on Friday said these cards are being made at government health institutions and private hospitals affiliated with the Ayushman Bharat Nirman Scheme.
The health office has issued instructions to inform eligible beneficiaries of the Ayushman scheme about the availability of card-making services at private hospitals.
Under the scheme, senior citizens whose Ayushman cards have already been made will need to re-register to receive an additional Rs 5 lakh top-up, which will be over and above the Rs 5 lakh treatment coverage for their family. This extra amount will be available for their individual use as cashless treatment.
Affiliated hospitals include all major government and 160 private hospitals in the district.
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), Dr Prabhakar Tiwari, informed that senior citizens aged 70 years or above can easily get their cards made through Ayushman Mitras at hospitals using their Aadhaar card and Aadhaar-linked mobile number. The process takes only a few minutes.