The Delhi government’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has expanded access to free healthcare for economically weaker sections (EWS) by raising the annual family income ceiling from ₹2.20 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The revised eligibility will apply to private hospitals built on subsidised land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).
Issued by DGHS Director Vatsala Agarwal, the order is expected to benefit lakhs of middle- and lower-income families in the national capital who were earlier excluded from free treatment due to the lower income threshold.
High Court Directive Prompted Revision
The decision follows directions from the Delhi High Court, which had called for a review of the existing income criteria. In compliance, the Directorate constituted a special committee in October last year. During its recent deliberations, the committee concluded that the ₹2.20 lakh cap was no longer realistic in view of inflation and the rising cost of healthcare.
The court had emphasised the need to broaden the definition of EWS to ensure wider access to subsidised healthcare facilities.
62 Private Hospitals Under the Scheme
At present, 62 private hospitals in Delhi operate on DDA-allotted land at concessional rates and are mandated to reserve a portion of their services for EWS patients. As per lease conditions, these hospitals must provide free treatment to 25 per cent of their total OPD patients from the EWS category and earmark 10 per cent of their total bed capacity for EWS patients, free of cost.
The list includes leading hospitals such as Max, Fortis, Apollo and Sir Ganga Ram. With the revised income limit, families earning up to ₹5 lakh annually will now be eligible for free consultations, diagnostic tests, surgeries and medicines at these facilities.
Transparency Measures Mandated
The DGHS has also directed hospitals to ensure transparency by prominently displaying the number of available EWS beds and the eligibility criteria on their notice boards, enabling beneficiaries to access services without ambiguity.
