Baramulla Records 55% Surge in Health Card Issuance for Senior Citizens Under Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana Scheme

In a major boost to elderly healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana scheme, Baramulla district has reported a remarkable 55.4% increase in the issuance of health cards for senior citizens aged 70 and above within just seven days — from October 29 to November 5, 2025.

This rapid progress reflects the district administration’s strong commitment to achieving universal health coverage and ensuring accessible healthcare for its elderly population.

It is worth mentioning that the Vay Vandana scheme, launched in November 2024 to enroll citizens aged 70 and above, had achieved only 23% coverage during its first year of implementation.

To expedite progress, the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla issued an order on October 28, 2025, appointing Dr. Jozi Bashir, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, as the nodal officer for the scheme. Following this administrative intervention, enrollment and health card distribution saw a significant acceleration across the district.

Officials stated that the renewed focus on senior citizens’ health has been instrumental in bridging healthcare gaps and extending the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat initiative to the most vulnerable sections of society.