Lt Governor asks Arvind Kejriwal to implement centre's health scheme

Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to implement the Centre's Ayushman Bharat scheme in the national capital, saying its non-implementation is causing suffering to poor patients, Raj Niwas officials said on Sunday.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj responded by saying the Lt Governor is not aware of the ground realities. 

The patient load from the neighbouring BJP-ruled states' hospitals is comparable to Delhi's hospitals under Ayushman Bharat, he said.

VK Saxena has recalled the file related to Ayushman Bharat in regard to invoking Rule 19(5) of Transaction of Business Rules and asked the chief minister to implement the scheme at the earliest for the benefit of poorest of the poor, Raj Niwas officials said.

He also outlined the fact that the waiting list for issue of ration card to the deserving beneficiaries has applicants waiting since 2018.

In the absence of such documents, poor sick patients suffering from serious ailments could not avail of health benefits under other available schemes, he said.

VK Saxena also highlighted the state of public health and government hospitals in Delhi.