The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 72-year-old man committed suicide on 25th December, 2024, as the State Government-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru, Karnataka declined to provide him Rs. 5 lakh cover under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for which he had enrolled himself. Reportedly, the hospital denied him the benefit of the scheme to the senior citizens stating that the State government orders in this regard had not arrived yet. A few more cases regarding the problems being faced by the beneficiaries of the AB PM-JAY scheme for senior citizens have also been mentioned in the news report.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) senior citizen scheme has been framed with an aim to ensure good medical care for senior citizens, especially those who are not able to spend the hospital bills and cost of specialized treatment and medicines. If senior citizens are not getting the benefit of the scheme intended for their welfare, it may amount to violation of their right to health, which is inherent to a life with dignity.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka calling for a detailed report on the matter within four weeks. The reports are expected to include the present status of the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) senior citizen scheme in Karnataka and other States/ Union Territories.

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NSK