Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has introduced a promising initiative called the Sanjeevani Yojana, aimed at providing free medical treatment to all senior citizens aged 60 and above residing in Delhi. Announced as part of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) electoral promises for the upcoming 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, the scheme pledges cost-free medical care across both public and private hospitals in the capital.
Key Features of the Sanjeevani Yojana
- Eligibility:
- Open to all senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
- Permanent residents of Delhi with valid proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID, etc.).
- Benefits:
- Unlimited free medical care, including expensive treatments, surgeries, and diagnostic tests.
- Covers treatment in private and government hospitals without income-based restrictions.
- Enrollment:
- AAP volunteers will conduct door-to-door registrations for eligible residents.
- The scheme will be implemented if AAP wins the Delhi Assembly elections.
How Does It Differ from Ayushman Bharat?
The Sanjeevani Yojana stands apart from the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in several ways:
| Feature | Sanjeevani Yojana | Ayushman Bharat (AB PM-JAY) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Residents aged 60 and above (Delhi only) | Families in the bottom 40% of the economic ladder |
| Coverage | Unlimited medical expense coverage | Up to ₹5 lakh per family annually |
| Scope | No income restrictions, all treatments covered | Covers secondary and tertiary care |
| Age Criteria | 60 years and above | 70 years and above for senior citizens |
Political and Public Reception
The Sanjeevani Yojana is being positioned as a game-changer for healthcare in Delhi, especially for the elderly population. Kejriwal’s announcement comes amidst criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, over Delhi’s non-inclusion in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
AAP has highlighted that the Sanjeevani Yojana offers more inclusive benefits, removing financial caps and eligibility barriers seen in the national scheme.
#KejriwalKiSanjeevaniYojana
🚨 Big Announcement by Arvind Kejriwal ! 🏥🔥
Delhi launches Sanjeevani Yojana 🙌 – offering free treatment in govt & private hospitals for citizens aged 60+ and acid attack survivors! 💕
No discrimination, no barriers – everyone gets equal care! 🌟 https://t.co/mpJ92Xg4Ks pic.twitter.com/vQNktTq7Sb
— चयन 🇮🇳 (@Tweet2Chayan) December 18, 2024
Healthcare in India: A Broader Picture
Under Ayushman Bharat, as of November 2024:
- Over 36 crore beneficiaries have been verified.
- 8.39 crore hospital admissions have been authorized, resulting in savings of ₹1.16 lakh crore for beneficiaries.
- Recent expansions include senior citizens aged 70+ under nationwide coverage with no socio-economic restrictions.
Despite its success, critics argue that Ayushman Bharat’s coverage cap and focus on specific demographics leave gaps that state-led schemes like Sanjeevani Yojana aim to fill.
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