Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card Launch Faces Hurdles, Only 4,500 Issued to Seniors in 10 Days

This issue has forced numerous elderly applicants to visit Aadhaar centers to update their mobile numbers, leading to added delays and frustration.

The much-anticipated Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has hit significant roadblocks, raising questions about its accessibility for the elderly.

Despite a target of 1.3 lakh eligible senior citizens, only 4,500 cards have been issued in the past 10 days.

One of the main barriers is Aadhaar verification. Many seniors lack mobile numbers linked to their Aadhaar, a step required to receive the OTP necessary for card registration.

This issue has forced numerous elderly applicants to visit Aadhaar centers to update their mobile numbers, leading to added delays and frustration.

Moreover, fingerprint recognition is another stumbling block, with scans often failing for older applicants, further complicating the registration process.

To address this, officials have urged senior citizens to update their Aadhaar information, noting that linking a mobile number can allow seniors to complete the Ayushman card registration from home.

Facing difficulties with online applications, many seniors are seeking assistance at MP Online Centers.

Yet, instead of the free service expected, reports indicate that seniors are being charged up to INR 100 per application.

"We are receiving many complaints, but linking a mobile number to Aadhaar is essential, as it’s part of the process. Families should register eligible elderly members, which adds an additional Rs 5 lakh in healthcare coverage for the family,” said Devendra Raghuvanshi, AyushmanScheme In-Charge.

A couple from Sudama Nagar shared their frustration, stating that after unsuccessful attempts to register online, they resorted to paying for help at a local center.

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