Health officials said that the benefit is not restricted to Delhi residents.

Delhi Raises EWS Income Limit to INR 5 Lakh, Expands Free Hospital Care

The Delhi government has substantially increased the annual income limit for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) patients to qualify for free treatment at selected private hospitals. According to an order issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Friday, it has raised it from INR 2.20 lakh to INR 5 lakh per annum. Officials said that the revision was focused on improving access to private healthcare for low-income patients.

The notification from the DGHS said that the increased income criterion of INR 500,000 per year shall be followed henceforth by all identified private hospitals in the national capital. Sources in the health department confirmed that the decision would help more residents to avail of free treatment without facing financial challenges.

A special committee constituted by the government recommended the change following directions from the Delhi High Court, after amicus curiae advocate Ashok Agarwal flagged concerns over the outdated income ceiling. Agarwal said that the revision would enable many more low-income patients to access private hospitals.

Under existing rules, private hospitals that have been allotted land at concessional rates by the government are required to provide free treatment to EWS patients. Health officials said that the benefit is not restricted to Delhi residents; eligible patients from across the country can avail of it.

According to DGHS officials, the revision is expected to reduce the burden on government hospitals and improve healthcare access for poorer patients. They emphasised that the decision aligns the medical income ceiling more closely with current economic realities and expands the pool of those who can receive free medical care in identified private hospitals across the national capital.

Source: The Tribune