To Counter BJP’s Ayushman Bharat Push, Arvind Kejriwal Announces Free Treatment Scheme For Senior Citizens
With roads of Delhi dotted with posters against the Aam Aadmi Party over non-implementation of the Narendra Modi government’s ambitious healthcare scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat’, former CM and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal announced free treatment scheme ‘Sanjeevani Yojna’ for senior citizens.
Kejriwal said that ‘Sanjeevani Yojna’ would be launched for free treatment of people aged above 60 years after his party returns to power in Delhi. The assembly elections in Delhi for 70 seats are due in February next year.
Speaking at a public event, Kejriwal said, “In old age, one thing troubles everyone: as age increases, numerous diseases affect a person. The biggest worry is how to get treatment. I also know of people who come from good families, but their children do not take care of them. In old age, I have seen elderly people from good families suffering as if their children had abandoned them. But you don’t have to worry; your son is still alive.”
While the scheme will be launched if AAP returns to power, the registration for the scheme will begin later this week, said Kejriwal. The AAP supremo said that party volunteers would go door to door to register eligible elderly people for the scheme. After the elections, the AAP government will implement the scheme, Kejriwal added.
Kejriwal explained that the scheme will provide free treatment at both government and private hospitals, just like the Ayushman Bharat scheme. “Whether one wants to get treatment in a government or private hospital, their entire treatment will be free. There will be no limits; everyone will be treated. Whether rich or poor, everyone will be treated for free. There will be no upper limit,” he said.
The BJP has earlier issued a number urging Delhi voters to give a missed call on the number for implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the Union Territory.
AAP won 62 out of the 70 seats in the 2020 assembly elections, while the BJP secured eight seats. The ruling party is looking to score a hat-trick in the national capital while the BJP, out of power in the city since 1998, is seeking a return after over 25 years.
