Major Hospitals to Join Ayushman Bharat in 25 Days: Delhi Health Minister

New Delhi: Health Minister Pankaj Singh has announced that all major private hospitals in the city, including leading groups like Apollo, Fortis, Max, and Manipal, will be brought under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) within the next 20–25 days.

This development coincides with the Rekha Gupta-led BJP government completing its first 100 days in office. Currently, the Ayushman Bharat scheme’s Delhi dashboard lists 82 private hospitals and 11 government hospitals as empanelled, but major private players have remained outside the program.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Delhi High Court has directed the government to evaluate a proposal submitted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to establish Ayushman Bharat Kendras in government-run hospitals across the city, including AIIMS itself. This initiative aims to enhance the healthcare services available under the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme.

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Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), patients from economically weaker households are entitled to health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh. Additionally, patients above the age of 70 also receive coverage of ₹5 lakh. While the central government provides this base cover, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced after her Cabinet’s first meeting that the Delhi government would offer an additional top-up of ₹5 lakh, effectively doubling the total coverage for eligible beneficiaries.

As of now, the scheme has enrolled over 3.16 lakh beneficiaries from economically weaker sections, with 30,000 beneficiaries above 70 years of age. However, utilization has been low, with just 601 beneficiaries having availed of services so far. These beneficiaries are identified based on data from the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (2011).

Healthcare representatives in Delhi, however, have called for a “reality check” before the scheme is expanded. Currently, of 62 private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat for which details are publicly available, nine are eyecare facilities, while others offer services related to general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, and cardiology.

Dr. Vipender Sabherwal, convenor for Ayushman Bharat and representative of the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), expressed concerns over the scheme's viability. Speaking to India Express, he stated, “We have been in touch with the Union Health Ministry and government officials on pricing and rates, which do not match the requirements of good hospitals with all facilities. The amount being offered is meagre and not practical. Even our payments were not made on time under Ayushman Bharat.”

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Dr. Sabherwal added that doctors’ associations plan to engage with the Delhi government for further discussions on the matter. The Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), which he represents, includes around 15,000 private hospitals across the country, among them leading institutions such as Fortis, Max Healthcare, Manipal, Medanta, Narayana, and Apollo.

As part of its broader healthcare overhaul, the Delhi government is expected to launch 33 Jan Arogya Mandirs on Saturday under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). These facilities will replace the previous AAP government’s mohalla clinics and dispensaries.

Health Minister Singh said the city aims to open 200 Jan Arogya Mandirs over time. Each centre will offer 12 service packages, including maternal and child healthcare, vaccinations, mental health services, elderly care, and treatment for communicable diseases. In-house diagnostic capabilities will include tests for blood sugar, haemoglobin, urine, pregnancy, and more, while 90 additional tests will be outsourced to Agilus Lab. The centres are also required to stock an essential medicines list comprising 256 drugs.