Sitting MLAs in Delhi will undergo annual health check-ups under the existing Government health scheme, with the first batch completing medical examinations at Sant Parmanand Hospital on Thursday. The exercise, covering all legislators irrespective of age, will continue until November 19, with ten MLAs scheduled for examination each day.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta initiated the programme to encourage preventive healthcare among elected representatives and ensure timely detection of potential health conditions. Gupta, who was among those examined on the opening day, said regular medical assessments were important for public representatives given their legislative responsibilities and the need for continuity in public service.
MLAs Ajay Mahawar, Surya Prakash Khatri and Sanjeev Jha also underwent check-ups on Thursday.
The Speaker said early medical assessments could help identify health risks before they develop into serious conditions requiring prolonged treatment. Timely diagnosis and intervention, he added, could prevent avoidable medical emergencies and disruptions to public duties.
The exercise is being conducted under the Delhi Government’s existing health scheme, notified by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Gupta clarified that the programme does not introduce any new entitlements or special concessions for legislators. All existing eligibility conditions, procedures and financial limits under the scheme will continue to apply.
A key feature of the initiative is that every sitting MLA will be covered, including legislators under 40.
The Speaker said age should not prevent anyone from accessing timely preventive medical assessments. He also emphasised that the initiative was intended to establish a uniform approach to health monitoring among legislators, rather than provide preferential treatment.
The scheduled exercise began on November 12 and will cover the Assembly’s sitting members over eight days. The programme aims to make regular health assessments part of the preventive health-care approach for elected representatives.