Affordable healthcare has long been a challenge for the poor in India. Moving from one government hospital to another in search of treatment has been a daunting task, even for the middle class. Instances of families struggling to save the lives of their loved ones by navigating through various hospitals, only to face roadblocks in receiving treatment, are not uncommon, even in the national capital.

Individuals often exhaust their savings when a family member is hospitalized, highlighting the dire state of healthcare in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized this issue and introduced the Ayushman Bharat scheme to address it. This scheme provides free treatment, including hospitalization up to Rs 5 lakh, in private hospitals for eligible individuals falling under the poor category based on socio-economic data from 2011.

However, this leaves out a significant portion of the population, including the middle class and senior citizens, regardless of their category. The recent announcement to extend the benefits of the scheme to those aged 70 and above is a welcome step, addressing a much-needed gap. However, considering India's life expectancy is around 70 years, reducing the eligible age to 60 and above would make more sense.

The government's Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana is another scheme that has had a positive impact on people's lives. Under this scheme, Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide free medicines and offer discounts of up to 80%, providing significant relief to the poor.

Overall, while these healthcare schemes have made strides in addressing some of the challenges in the healthcare sector, there is room for improvement, particularly in ensuring coverage for a wider segment of the population and making healthcare more accessible and affordable for all.