PM Modi’s Criticism Of Delhi Healthcare: Kejriwal’s Bold Response Stirs Controversy!

In a heated exchange, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism of the Delhi government's handling of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. Modi expressed disappointment over the lack of free healthcare for the elderly in Delhi and West Bengal, accusing these state governments of political motivations for not implementing the scheme effectively.

Speaking at a public gathering at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi, Modi stated, "I apologize to all the elderly aged above 70 years in Delhi and West Bengal. I hear your pain, but due to the state governments' decisions, I cannot help you." His remarks highlighted the missed opportunity to serve senior citizens in these regions.

Kejriwal's rebuttal came swiftly, with him arguing that politicising public health issues is inappropriate. He urged Modi to study the healthcare model in Delhi, suggesting that it should be adopted nationwide to genuinely benefit the populace. In a lengthy post on X, Kejriwal claimed he had yet to meet anyone who received treatment through the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

"Pradhan Mantri ji, speaking wrongly about public health and indulging in politics is not right," Kejriwal wrote, emphasising that the Delhi government provides free medical treatment for all residents, covering costs from minor medications to expensive treatments. He offered to share a list of beneficiaries who have benefited from Delhi's healthcare program.

Kejriwal's comments were echoed by Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who labelled the Ayushman Bharat scheme as a "failed" initiative. He pointed out that patients from states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, where the scheme is in place, often flock to Delhi hospitals for surgeries, indicating deficiencies in those states' healthcare systems.

Bharadwaj highlighted that Delhi government hospitals offer free treatment, contrasting it with the paid services in BJP-ruled states. He argued that the healthcare schemes in Delhi are far more effective than the central government's Ayushman Bharat program.

Additionally, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh dismissed the Ayushman Bharat scheme as "impractical," asserting that eligibility restrictions, such as owning a refrigerator or having an income above ₹10,000, limit access for many who need it the most.

As tensions between the Delhi government and the central administration continue to escalate over health policy, the debate underscores the broader challenges facing healthcare access and the political dynamics influencing it in India.