Chhattisgarh Ranks 5th in the Country for Issuance of PM Ayushman Vay-Vandana Cards State Outperforms Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar in Card Distribution

Raipur, 25 May

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM Ayushman Vay-Vandana Yojana was launched to provide free medical treatment to citizens aged 70 and above. In Chhattisgarh, thanks to the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and the guidance of Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, over 3.6 lakh senior citizens (70 years and above) have already received their Ayushman Vay-Vandana Cards.

This achievement has placed Chhattisgarh at 5th position nationwide in terms of the number of Vay-Vandana Cards issued, surpassing large states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Bihar.

Following the Chief Minister’s directive, special campaigns are being conducted across all districts to ensure that no eligible senior citizen is left out of this free healthcare initiative. Registration camps are being organized with the cooperation of various government departments, social organizations, pensioners’ associations, senior citizen welfare groups, old age homes, and private housing societies.

How to Get the Card:
Any individual whose parents or other family members are 70 years or older and possess an Aadhaar card can get the Ayushman card made for free by visiting:

Nearest government hospital

CMHO (Chief Medical & Health Officer) office

Government health workers

They can also call the toll-free number 104 for more information.

Alternatively, individuals can download the “Ayushman Bharat” app and “Aadhaar Face ID” app from the Google Play Store to verify Aadhaar and self-register for a general Ayushman card or the Vay-Vandana card for senior family members.

Since the launch of Vay-Vandana Card registration in October 2024, Chhattisgarh has shown a sharp increase in performance from November 2024 onwards, accelerating the card creation process.

“Vay-Mitra” Districts:
The state government is developing six districts—where over 60% coverage of Vay-Vandana card registration has been achieved—as “Vay-Mitra” (Senior-Friendly) districts. These districts are offering a range of specialized services, including:

Senior Citizen Health Camps at district hospitals and community health centers

Mobile Medical Units to provide healthcare services in remote areas

Telemedicine and mental health counseling at Ayushman-Arogya Mandirs

Weekly “Siyan-Jatan Camps” every Thursday

Ayush-based treatments, cataract screening, and other elderly-specific health services

These initiatives underscore Chhattisgarh’s commitment to senior citizen welfare through inclusive and accessible healthcare.