Cancer patient dies by suicide after being denied benefits under Ayushman Bharat scheme in Bengaluru: report

Bengaluru News: A 72-year-old man suffering from cancer allegedly died by suicide after he was denied medical benefits under PM-Jay’s Ayushman Bharat Senior Citizens Scheme.

The National Health Authority (NHA) has asked the State Health Authority for a report in this regard, news agency ANI reported, citing official sources.

According to a report published in Times Of India, the patient was a retired state government employee and died 15 days after being diagnosed with cancer. The man was shocked to realize that the hospital had refused to provide him cover of Rs 5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana scheme for senior citizens.

“Even though we had created the AB PM-JAY senior citizen card providing him with an annual cover of Rs 5 lakh, the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) refused to grant the benefit saying that the state government orders were yet to come. However, this is not true. we have extended our 50% discount,”
The report quoted a family member as saying.

The family member added that the initial tests alone cost him £20,000 and further chemotherapy sessions were required for treatment. The scheme provides free insurance of Rs 5 lakh to people aged 70 years and above.