Tue Oct 29 20:12:24 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Health Minister Slams Ayushman Bharat, Claims Scheme is a Failure
**New Delhi:** Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has launched a scathing attack on the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, labeling it a failure that falls short of its promise to provide free healthcare for the poor. Bharadwaj pointed to the high number of patients from BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana seeking free treatment at Delhi government hospitals as evidence of the scheme’s shortcomings.
“Almost 50 per cent of patients admitted in these hospitals belong to BJP-ruled states like UP. Why are these poor patients not getting the free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme?” he questioned, adding that patients from these states are forced to travel hundreds of kilometers to Delhi for healthcare despite the presence of numerous private hospitals in their own states that are supposed to be covered under the scheme.
Bharadwaj highlighted the success of the Delhi government’s healthcare programs, which offer comprehensive, free treatment for all residents without any financial caps. He emphasized that the Delhi government provides free treatment, including tests and medicines, even for accident victims in private hospitals.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized to elderly people in Delhi and West Bengal for their inability to benefit from the Ayushman Bharat scheme due to their state governments’ decision not to participate. He blamed political interests for hindering the scheme’s implementation in these states.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched in 2018, aims to provide free health insurance coverage to low-income families. However, the scheme has faced criticism for its limited reach and bureaucratic hurdles. The Delhi government’s criticism further highlights the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of the program and its ability to achieve its stated goals.
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