New Delhi: In a landmark boost to public healthcare in the capital, the Delhi government officially launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme on Thursday. The scheme ensures an annual health insurance cover of ₹10 lakh for each eligible family. As part of the rollout, 36 lakh residents in the city are set to benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), with senior citizens above 70 years to be covered irrespective of income
The move comes after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Health Department of the Delhi Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement both AB PM-JAY and the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) in the national capital.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony held in Delhi, presided over by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The initiative marks the formal inclusion of Delhi in India’s flagship health assurance programme, which is currently the world’s largest.
As per the new arrangement, the Delhi government will supplement the Centre’s ₹5 lakh health cover under AB PM-JAY with an additional ₹5 lakh per family, taking the total annual benefit to ₹10 lakh. This amount will be usable at more than 30,000 empaneled hospitals across the country, making the scheme nationally portable for Delhi residents.
In addition to health insurance, the capital’s health infrastructure will receive a funding boost of ₹1,749 crore under the PM-ABHIM scheme. The allocation will be utilised for setting up 1,139 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, strengthening 11 Integrated Public Health Laboratories, and developing 9 Critical Care Blocks in the city’s healthcare facilities.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda noted that Delhi’s participation will significantly expand the reach of Ayushman Bharat, with more than 8 crore people already having availed treatment under the scheme nationwide. He also emphasized the financial relief the scheme offers, citing a reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure from 62% to 38% in the last few years.
During the event, Ayushman cards were distributed to 30 initial beneficiaries from Delhi, marking the formal start of enrollment. Residents can now register and avail of benefits under the scheme, with families receiving cashless treatment in empaneled public and private hospitals.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded the initiative, highlighting the Centre’s broader health priorities, which include not just treatment but also wellness through initiatives focused on nutrition, yoga, and preventive healthcare.
With the signing of the MoU on April 5 and its rollout this week, the Delhi government has taken a significant step toward ensuring universal health access for its citizens, while strengthening critical health systems to meet future challenges.
