Raipur. Under the Ayushman Bharat Vaya Vandana Yojana, all senior citizens aged 70 and above receive free and cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh annually. There is no income limit to avail of this scheme. Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district has achieved a historic milestone in Chhattisgarh's healthcare landscape. The district has emerged first in the state in the successful implementation of the Central Government's ambitious Ayushman Bharat Vaya Vandana Yojana, aimed at the welfare of senior citizens. According to the state-level review report released on July 15, 2026, the district has achieved the top position, achieving outstanding performance against its set targets. This success underscores the vision of the district administration and the dedication of health workers. The scheme
, which has set an example with 81.17 percent coverage,
provides free and cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per year to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income. In Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, a record 22,333 elderly people have successfully been issued Vaya Vandana cards, against a target of 27,514 members. With an unprecedented coverage rate of 81.17 percent, the district ranks first in Chhattisgarh, while the state average is 64 percent. This model has now become a role model and a source of inspiration for other districts in the state. Expressing delight at this prestigious achievement, the
District
Collector stated that ensuring the benefits of all public welfare and welfare schemes of the government reach the last mile eligible person with complete transparency is the top priority of the district administration. He attributed this achievement to the activeness and strategic planning of the field staff of the Health Department. The Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMO) attributed this success to teamwork. He stated that Roshan Sachdev, District Coordinator of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, along with all the Block Medical Officers, field staff, Mitanins, and health workers have demonstrated unparalleled dedication. The team not only worked at the data entry level, but also actively conducted door-to-door surveys, identifying eligible beneficiaries, and promptly providing them with cards. This excellent performance has boosted the morale of the health department, and the district administration has reiterated its commitment to maintaining this level of excellence in all health indicators and programs in the future.