New Delhi, Oct 29 Ayushman Vay Vandana, the health coverage scheme for senior citizens aged 70 years and above, has provided 23.46 lakh authorised hospital admissions worth Rs 5,668.80 crore in two years, with cataract surgery emerging as the most commonly availed treatment, according to official data.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 29, 2024, the initiative extends the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to all eligible senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socioeconomic status.
As of October 20, 2026, cataract surgery accounted for 4.71 lakh treatments, or around 20.1 per cent of all authorised treatments under the scheme, while chronic haemodialysis accounted for approximately 2.90 lakh treatments, a health ministry statement said.
In terms of the value of authorised treatments, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), a procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, accounted for the largest share at approximately Rs 649 crore, highlighting the scheme’s role in facilitating access to specialised cardiac care.
Other major treatment categories include total knee replacement, management of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute febrile illness, and acute kidney injury and renal failure.
The initiative has been designed to strengthen financial protection for approximately six crore senior citizens belonging to around 4.5 crore families across the country.
Under the scheme, eligible senior citizens aged 70 years and above are entitled to health coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
For senior citizens belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY, an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per year is available exclusively for them, separate from the coverage available to family members below 70 years of age.
Speaking on the occasion, National Health Authority CEO Sunil Kumar Barnwal said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that senior citizens can access healthcare with dignity, security and peace of mind.
By extending coverage irrespective of socioeconomic status, Ayushman Vay Vandana seeks to reduce the financial burden of hospitalisation on elderly citizens and their families.
The initiative, implemented by the National Health Authority under the Union Health Ministry, completed two years on Wednesday.
(PTI News)
