Introduction: Healthcare as a Fundamental Right
For millions in Delhi, access to affordable healthcare isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. In 2025, India’s capital has significantly expanded its network of free medical services, targeting low-income families, senior citizens, and marginalized communities. This guide cuts through the complexity to show you exactly where and how to access life-saving treatments, essential medicines, and preventive care without financial ruin.
1. Core Government Healthcare Schemes
a) Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY + Ayushman Vay Vandana
- Coverage: Provides ₹5 lakh per family/year for hospitalization. The Vay Vandana extension specifically covers ALL senior citizens aged 70+ and vulnerable health workers (ASHAs, Anganwadi staff) .
- Scope: Covers 1,961 procedures across specialties (surgery, cancer care, critical illness) at 83 empanelled hospitals in Delhi (59 private, 24 government) .
- Delhi’s Enhancement: The new state government has pledged to double coverage to ₹10 lakh for eligible beneficiaries by adding state funds on top of PM-JAY .
- Enrollment: Fully online via State Health Agency portal. Requires Aadhaar for seniors under Vay Vandana .
b) Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) – Upgraded Primary Care
- Network: 1,139 centers planned across Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies (15+ per area), transforming old clinics into comprehensive wellness hubs .
- Services:Free basic care includes:
- Consultations for fever, infections, chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
- Essential drugs (106 types at sub-centers, 172 at primary centers)
- Diagnostic tests (14 at sub-centers, 63 at primary centers)
- Maternal/child health, screenings (cancer, TB), vaccinations
- Staff: Community Health Officers, doctors, nurses, lab technicians .
Table: Key Free Healthcare Schemes in Delhi (2025)SchemeKey BenefitEligibilityWhere to AccessAB PM-JAY + Vay Vandana Hospitalization cover up to ₹5-10 lakhs/year Poor families, ALL seniors 70+, ASHAs 83 Empanelled Hospitals (Public/Private) Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Free primary care, drugs, diagnostics, screenings ALL Delhi residents 1,139 Neighborhood Health Centers Delhi Govt Hospitals Free OPD/IPD, surgeries, emergency care ALL Delhi residents (priority to poor) 40+ Major State Hospitals (e.g., LNJP, GTB) Jan Aushadhi Kendras 80-90% cheaper generic medicines Anyone 250+ Stores citywide (often near hospitals)
2. Critical Public Health Infrastructure
a) Delhi Government Hospitals
- Services: Offer completely free outpatient (OPD), inpatient (IPD), emergency care, surgeries, dialysis, and childbirth services. Major hospitals like LNJP and GTB handle complex cases .
- Recent Investment: ₹1,000 crore allocated to build 10-13 new hospitals and add 16,186 beds to address severe shortages (current ratio: 2.7 beds/1,000 people vs. WHO rec. 5/1,000) .
b) Mohalla Clinics
- Despite past controversies, revised Aadhaar-based rules now facilitate free tests:
- Present Aadhaar, Enrolment slip, or alternate ID (voter card, ration card)
- Children use birth certificate + parent’s ID
- Free diagnostic tests funded by Delhi government
c) Jan Aushadhi Kendras
- 250+ stores across Delhi supply 900+ generic drugs and 150+ surgical items at 80-90% below market prices (e.g., diabetes meds for ₹10 instead of ₹100) .
3. Specialized Programs & Recent Initiatives
- Cancer/TB Treatment: Free chemotherapy at state hospitals. Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides ₹1,000/month nutritional support to TB patients .
- Mother & Child Care: ₹210 crore scheme for nutrient kits + ₹21,000 cash allowance for pregnant women .
- Digital Health Push: ABHA Health ID now mandatory at hospital OPDs (May 2025). Links medical history across facilities for seamless care .
- Medical Camps: Regular free screening camps for diabetes, hypertension, cataracts, and cancer in slums/resettlement colonies.
4. Overcoming Challenges: The Road Ahead
While access has improved, hurdles remain:
- Infrastructure Gaps: Long waits at OPDs due to doctor shortages; 22 hospitals lack advanced scanners .
- Awareness & Trust: Many poor residents unaware of schemes or distrust government facilities.
- Urban Coverage: Need more clinics in dense unauthorized colonies.
- Implementation: New State Health Agency must efficiently process claims under Ayushman Bharat .
Future priorities include faster hospital construction, incentivizing doctors for rural clinics via “hard area allowances” and PG seat reservations , and expanding telemedicine through the eSanjeevani platform .
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: Is Ayushman Bharat truly free for senior citizens in Delhi?
A: Yes! Since October 2024, all residents aged 70+ are covered under Ayushman Vay Vandana regardless of income. Treatment is cashless at empanelled hospitals . - Q: What documents prove eligibility for free tests at Mohalla Clinics?
A: You can use Aadhaar, Aadhaar Enrolment slip, voter ID, ration card, or birth certificate (for children). Biometric failure? Request OTP or QR code verification . - Q: Where can I find the nearest Ayushman Arogya Mandir?
A: Visit the Delhi State Health Agency website or call 104 for location details. 400+ new centers are being built with ₹320 crore funding . - Q: How does Delhi’s free healthcare differ from other states?
A: Delhi now integrates central schemes (PM-JAY) while adding state funding for higher insurance coverage (₹10 lakh) and universal primary care at AAMs – a hybrid model . - Q: Are treatments like chemotherapy or dialysis completely free?
A: Yes, in Delhi government hospitals and for Ayushman cardholders in empanelled private centers. Jan Aushadhi stores provide subsidized supportive medicines .
Conclusion: A Healthier, More Equitable Delhi
Delhi’s healthcare landscape in 2025 reflects a significant shift toward universal access. From the ₹6,874 crore budget boost to the rapid rollout of Arogya Mandirs and expanded insurance, these initiatives signal that quality medical care is becoming a non-negotiable right. While gaps in specialist access and wait times persist, the trajectory is clear: no Delhi resident should be denied treatment due to poverty. Stay informed, utilize your ABHA ID, and demand your entitled care – a healthier city is emerging, one clinic and one patient at a time.