In a significant advancement for Delhi’s healthcare landscape, the National Health Authority (NHA)
under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of NCT Delhi. The landmark agreement formally brings the national capital under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking Delhi as the 35th State/UT to adopt the scheme.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, described the move as historic, stating, “It is a moment of pride that the world’s largest health coverage scheme is now implemented in the national capital.” He emphasised that AB PM-JAY is not merely an insurance scheme but an ‘assurance’ scheme built on trust. He highlighted its broad coverage and pointed out that it is the first health scheme globally to include 50 crore people based on the economic caste census.
Shri Nadda informed that 36 lakh frontline health workers, including ASHAs and Anganwadi workers, have been included under AB PM-JAY and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Bima Yojna, providing comprehensive coverage for health and life insurance. This initiative significantly boosts social security for these critical frontline workers.
Approximately 36 lakh people in Delhi are expected to benefit directly from the implementation of AB PM-JAY. This includes about 30 lakh individuals from 6.54 lakh families and 6 lakh senior citizens. Notably, the senior citizens aged 70 years and above will now be covered under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, receiving a health cover of Rs 5 lakh, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Shri Nadda underscored that the implementation of AB PM-JAY has notably reduced out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures nationwide, from 62% in 2014 down to 38% today. Furthermore, he referenced a recent Lancet study indicating a 90% rise in timely cancer treatment initiation due to improved access under the scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Delhi’s Chief Minister, Smt. Rekha Gupta, welcomed the collaboration between the central and state governments and highlighted the Delhi government’s additional contribution. “In addition to the Rs 5 lakh coverage by the Central Government, the Delhi government will provide an extra top-up of Rs 5 lakh per family, benefiting around 6.54 lakh families in the city,” she stated. Card distribution under the scheme is scheduled to commence on April 10, 2025.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel lauded the partnership as a shared commitment between the governments to deliver quality and affordable healthcare. She noted that AB PM-JAY has already saved beneficiaries approximately Rs 1.75 crore in out-of-pocket expenditures.
During the event, it was also noted that the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government had delayed the implementation of AB PM-JAY in Delhi, impacting the timely access to benefits for Delhi’s citizens.
The event also marked another milestone, as the Delhi government entered into a separate MoU with the central government to implement the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). Under PM-ABHIM, Rs 1749 crore has been approved for Delhi to establish 1139 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM), strengthen 11 Integrated Public Health Laboratories, and construct nine Critical Care Blocks. This infrastructure development aims to make Delhi’s healthcare facilities resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.
Shri Nadda highlighted that across India, 8.19 crore people have already availed of healthcare under AB PM-JAY, with the government cumulatively spending Rs 1.26 lakh crore. Among these beneficiaries, approximately 19 lakh people belonged to vulnerable populations who previously could not afford essential treatments.
To symbolize the scheme’s launch, the Union Health Minister and other dignitaries distributed Ayushman Bharat cards to 30 beneficiaries from Delhi, representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Both AB PM-JAY and PM-ABHIM fall under the umbrella of Ayushman Bharat, which was launched to dramatically improve healthcare accessibility and affordability nationwide. These schemes are recognised globally for their transformative impacts, benefiting millions of poor and vulnerable families.
With these strategic initiatives, Delhi is poised to significantly enhance healthcare delivery, promising comprehensive coverage and robust infrastructure development to meet future health challenges.
