On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu announced that over 11 crore free medical treatments had been given in hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance system up to last year, with 2.5 crore patients receiving free care just in the previous year.
The Presidential Address highlighted the importance of health as a fundamental component of inclusive national development and highlighted the notable advancements achieved under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s flagship health projects.
The President pointed out that by last year, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has expanded access to secondary and tertiary healthcare by providing free medical care valued at over ₹11 crore. Approximately 2.5 crore impoverished and vulnerable persons received free medical care through government health programs in only the past year.
Almost 1 crore Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards have been issued over the past 1.5 years, allowing about 8 lakh older and elderly individuals to get free healthcare services, according to the Address, which highlighted focused actions for senior residents.
With 1.80 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs presently in operation nationally, the President further emphasized the need to develop the nation’s primary healthcare infrastructure. These facilities guarantee the last-mile provision of complete primary healthcare services, especially in underserved, rural, and isolated locations.
Speaking at a joint session of Parliament, which marked the beginning of the Budget session, she stated that almost one crore older individuals have received Vay Vandana cards over the previous nearly 1.5 years. She emphasized that about 8 lakh elderly people were treated for free as hospital inpatients thanks to these.
Up till last year, hospitals all around the nation provided more than 11 crore free medical services under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which was initiated for underprivileged patients. The President stated that 2.5 crore underprivileged patients have benefited from free medical care under this program in just the past year.
Ms. Murmu added that patients can now receive medical care closer to their homes thanks to the 1,80,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs that have been established nationwide. My administration has successfully combated serious illnesses. Over 6.5 crore persons have been screened as part of the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. This has contributed to the disease’s management in a number of tribal regions,” she said.
According to Ms. Murmu, mission-mode campaigns have effectively controlled diseases like Japanese encephalitis, and in many rural and less developed areas of Uttar Pradesh, effective prevention of this disease has been achieved. “It is a matter of pride that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared India free from the eye disease Trachoma,” she stated.
“My government is also dedicated to ensuring that every citizen has access to insurance. In this endeavor, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana are essential, according to Ms. Murmu.
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She reminded the joint session of Parliament that these programs have given insurance coverage to crores of residents in need. She also mentioned that claims totaling more than ₹24,000 crore rupees have been paid out under these programs, which have helped crores of impoverished people in need.
