The National Health Authority, which oversees the implementation of AB-PMJAY, is actively developing new health packages that focus on ailments commonly affecting the elderly. A source in the health ministry told TOI, “A committee headed by medical experts reviews health packages regularly, but this is a special case due to the inclusion of a large elderly subgroup. The committee is identifying key health issues requiring hospitalisation and will develop packages for timely treatment.”
This expansion will potentially benefit six crore individuals across 4.5 crore families, offering crucial healthcare access to senior citizens. The package will address conditions such as stroke, fractures, heart failure, and cancer, all of which are common among the elderly population.
Dr. Prasun Chatterjee, additional medical superintendent at the National Centre for Ageing, speaking to TOI, emphasized the growing need for elderly care, especially for diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. He noted that these conditions are often linked to infections, requiring hospitalisation. Dr. Vinay Aggarwal, chairman of the action committee of the Indian Medical Association, highlighted the financial struggles faced by elderly patients, many of whom lack support for treatment. He added, “Private insurance for the elderly is expensive and often unwilling to cover senior citizens, making this government scheme a lifeline for many.”
Launched in 2018, AB-PMJAY provides an annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family for hospitalisation needs. The scheme is jointly funded by the central and state governments, making it the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance initiative.
