72-Year-Old Cancer Patient Dies by Suicide After Denied Ayushman Bharat Scheme Benefits in Bengaluru

A 72-year-old cancer patient in Bengaluru died by suicide after being denied benefits under the Ayushman Bharat senior citizen scheme. The hospital refused coverage due to pending government orders, adding to the patient's stress. Delays in implementing the scheme have raised concerns about its effectiveness for senior citizens.

A 72-year-old Bengaluru resident, diagnosed with gastric cancer, tragically died by suicide on December 25, just 15 days after his diagnosis. According to reports, his decision came after he was denied ₹5 lakh coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), a health insurance scheme meant for senior citizens.

The victim, a retired state government employee, had enrolled in the AB PM-JAY senior citizen scheme but was shocked when the Kidwai Memorial Institute Of Oncology (KMIO) refused to honor the benefit, citing that state government orders had not yet arrived. Despite his enrollment, the hospital offered only a 50% discount. The hospital's response added to the patient's distress, according to his family, who expressed their grief over the lack of available benefits for treatment.

Dr. Ravi Arjunan, the director of KMIO, confirmed that the senior citizen scheme had not yet been implemented in Karnataka, as the state was still awaiting official orders. The Karnataka government also acknowledged that it had yet to roll out the scheme and was seeking clarifications on its funding.

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This incident highlights ongoing issues with the implementation of AB PM-JAY, especially for senior citizens. Other beneficiaries, like Lalithamba BV, a campaign head for Bengaluru Navanirmana Party, shared similar difficulties using the card, as it could not be processed for her elderly father in December 2024. Despite the government’s initiative to provide ₹5 lakh insurance for citizens aged 70 and above, administrative delays have hampered its successful rollout, leaving many without timely healthcare coverage.