National Human Rights Commission investigates suicide in Bengaluru after hospital allegedly ‘denies’ benefits to senior citizens in Ayushman Bharat – Karnataka News

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday said it has issued a notice to the Center and the Karnataka government over reports that a 72-year-old man allegedly committed suicide in December after a state-run hospital in Bengaluru “denied” his benefit. from the social welfare program.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) noted that the content of the media reports, if true, raises a serious issue of human rights violation.

In this regard, the NHRC has issued notices to the Union Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Principal Secretary, Government of Karnataka, asking them to submit a detailed report within four weeks, the statement said.

The reports are expected to cover the current status of implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) senior citizen program in Karnataka and other states and Union Territories, the statement said.

The NHRC said it has “suo motu taken note of media reports that a 72-year-old man committed suicide on December 25, 2024, when the state government-run Kidwai Memorial Oncology Institute in Bengaluru, Karnataka refused to provide him with insurance cover for the amount 5 lakh rupees under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) for which he has signed up himself.”

The hospital reportedly “denied him benefits under the senior citizen program” stating that the state government’s order on the matter was “yet to arrive,” the rights panel said in a statement.

The press report also mentioned several more cases regarding problems faced by beneficiaries of the AB PM-JAY program for senior citizens, he added.

The AB PM-JAY program for seniors has been designed to provide good medical care to seniors, especially those who are unable to cover hospital bills and the costs of specialized treatment and medicines, she said.

“If seniors do not receive the benefits of a program designed for their well-being, it may amount to a violation of their right to health, which is an inherent element of a dignified life,” the statement said.