New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) In a significant move, Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared on Tuesday that beneficiaries of widow pensions and individuals with disabilities receiving government aid will now be included in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

She explained that these individuals' families will also gain access to the benefits of the scheme.

The Chief Minister highlighted that this initiative is set to create a direct and impactful change for lakhs of underprivileged households.

This pivotal decision was made during a Cabinet meeting led by the Chief Minister at the Delhi Secretariat.

Elaborating on the details, she stated that around 396,615 widow pension recipients and approximately 131,515 beneficiaries under the disability pension framework will directly benefit from this initiative.

She reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring that no impoverished, vulnerable, or disadvantaged citizen in Delhi is unable to access medical care due to financial limitations.

The PM-JAY is recognized as the largest health protection program in the country, and the Delhi Government's recent actions aim to enhance its effectiveness and inclusivity.

According to Chief Minister Gupta, this development will extend health coverage to an additional 550,000 families.

These new households will join those already benefitting from the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PRS) categories, along with senior citizens over 70, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and their aides.

She mentioned that this expansion will significantly broaden the scope of health protection in Delhi.

Additionally, she indicated that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas.”

Through the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the Prime Minister has secured health coverage for millions of impoverished families nationwide, and the Delhi government is dedicated to extending these benefits to every eligible resident in the capital.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the government's goal is unequivocal: no qualified citizen should miss out on high-quality and affordable healthcare.

As of now, 723,707 Ayushman cards have been issued in Delhi, including 274,620 cards for senior citizens. To ensure effective scheme implementation, a network of 208 hospitals has been established, comprising 156 private and 53 government facilities.

To date, over 29,120 beneficiaries have received treatment through the PM-JAY via the State Health Agency (SHA) in Delhi.

Chief Minister Gupta stated that this decision transcends mere administration; it is a commitment tied to the health and dignity of every underprivileged family in Delhi.

This initiative represents a substantial stride towards fostering a healthy, compassionate, equitable, and inclusive Delhi, ensuring that development benefits every individual, with no one left behind, according to an official.