Delhi Health Minister Calls Ayushman Bharat "Paper-Only Scheme," Cites Influx of Patients

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharwaj took a dig at Centre over its Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme on Thursday, claiming that it "exists only on paper".

minister said this during his visit to Delhi government-run GB Pant Hospital.

According to a statement issued by Delhi government, Bharwaj visited hospital to meet patients on occasion of Diwali , share festive greetings and distribute fruits.

ruling Aam Ami Party (AAP) in Delhi and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) are engd in a political battle over Ayushman Bharat scheme, which has t been implemented in national capital.

Feedback from Patients Raises Questions About Healthcare Accessibility

During his visit to hospital, minister reviewed healthcare services and received feedback from patients and ir families, statement said.

Bharwaj ted that approximately 80 per cent of patients he met were from BJP-ruled states, such as Uttar Presh and Uttarakhand, who travelled long distances to seek treatment in Delhi.

He questioned why, despite Ayushman Bharat scheme and presence of private hospitals in nearby areas like ida, Ghaziab and Gurugram, patients from se states were still compelled to seek care in hospitals run by Delhi government.

Criticism of Ayushman Bharat's Effectiveness

He criticised Ayushman Bharat, calling it "a scheme that exists only on paper", for failing to deliver substantial benefits to underprivileged citizens.

Bharwaj said if scheme was genuinely effective, patients would t need to make such long journeys for treatment.

" Ayushman Bharat scheme, as promoted by central government, is failing to support people it claims to serve," he said.

(With PTI inputs)