Baramulla sees surge in senior citizen health card registrations

Baramulla, Nov 7: Baramulla district has recorded a remarkable 55.4 percent increase in senior citizen health card registrations under the Vay Vandana Scheme within just seven days — from October 29 to November 5 — marking a significant turnaround in the district’s health outreach efforts.

Officials said the surge reflects the administration’s renewed commitment to achieving universal health coverage for citizens aged 70 and above. The Vay Vandana Scheme, launched in November 2024, had initially seen slow progress, covering only 23 percent of the target population in its first year.

However, this year’s accelerated push has emerged as a turning point.

To speed up implementation, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa appointed Dr Jozi Bashir, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Baramulla, as the nodal officer for the scheme.

Following this intervention, coordinated efforts by health officials and field workers led to a sharp spike in enrolments across the district. “The district is now on track to achieve full saturation in the coming weeks,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

The administration has also intensified on-the-spot enrolment drives and outreach programmes across far-flung areas to ensure every eligible elderly person is covered. “Our focus is not just on numbers but on ensuring dignity and healthcare security for our senior citizens,” a health official said.