The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic suicide of a 72-year-old man in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on December 25, 2024. According to media reports, the senior citizen was denied access to a Rs. 5 lakh health insurance cover under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme at the State Government-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. Despite being enrolled in the scheme, the hospital reportedly refused him the benefits, citing the lack of necessary State government orders.

The incident has shed light on broader challenges faced by senior citizens attempting to access benefits under the AB PM-JAY scheme. Similar cases of denial and delays in delivering the scheme’s benefits have also been reported, raising serious concerns about its implementation.

Expressing its concern, the NHRC observed that if these reports are accurate, they highlight a grave violation of human rights. The Commission emphasized that the AB PM-JAY senior citizen scheme was specifically designed to provide affordable medical care to vulnerable elderly individuals, particularly those unable to afford costly treatments and hospital bills. Denial of these benefits not only undermines the scheme's purpose but also infringes on the right to health, which is fundamental to living a life of dignity.

Taking swift action, the NHRC has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, demanding a detailed report within four weeks. These reports are expected to outline the current status of the scheme’s implementation in Karnataka and other States and Union Territories across the country.

This tragic incident raises pressing questions about the accessibility and efficiency of government welfare schemes. As the elderly population in India grows, ensuring timely and seamless delivery of healthcare benefits remains critical. The NHRC’s intervention serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and healthcare administrators to address these lapses and ensure that schemes like Ayushman Bharat truly reach those in need.