11 Cr Indians Receive Free Treatment Under Ayushman Bharat: President Murmu

She added that approximately 2.5 crore poor and vulnerable citizens benefited from government health schemes in the last year alone.

Over 11 crore people have received free hospital treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-JAY) since its inception, President Droupadi Murmu said Wednesday. She added that approximately 2.5 crore poor and vulnerable citizens benefited from government health schemes in the last year alone.

Speaking at the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at the start of the Union Budget Session 2026, Murmu emphasised health and well-being as a key pillar of human capital development and inclusive national growth, aligned with the government’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

Under Ayushman Bharat, access to secondary and tertiary healthcare for economically weaker sections has significantly expanded. Targeted interventions for senior citizens have also strengthened, with nearly one crore Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards (VVC) issued in the last 18 months, enabling about eight lakh elderly citizens to avail free healthcare services.

Primary healthcare coverage has increased through 1.80 lakh operational Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) across the country, ensuring last-mile delivery in rural, remote, and underserved areas. Disease prevention measures include screening over 6.5 crore people under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and controlling Japanese Encephalitis in endemic districts, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

Murmu highlighted healthcare infrastructure expansion in the Northeast, including a State Cancer Institute in Itanagar, medical colleges in Sivasagar, Assam and Sichey, Sikkim, and a women and children’s hospital in Agartala. She also noted that the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’ campaign in September enabled around seven crore women to undergo health check-ups nationwide.

The President added that the World Health Organisation has declared India trachoma-free, marking a significant milestone in public health. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding coverage under flagship schemes, and implementing citizen-centric reforms to build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready healthcare system.

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