NEW DELHI: Senior citizens would receive Aadhaar-based smart cards. Sources said, these cards would contain health details of senior citizens.
Presenting the Union Budget 2017-18 on Wednesday, Mr Jaitley said that the pilot service of these cards would take off in 15 cities initially beginning this year. “Very soon, we will be introducing an Aadhaar-based payment system which will use one’s biometrics for transactions,” Mr Jaitley said.
Anjan Bose, secretary-general, NATHEALTH, said, “The Budget clearly focuses on improving healthcare access for the less privileged and on ‘preventive and wellness’ both of which are very encouraging. Target of transforming 1.5 lakh health sub-centres into health wellness centres is in line with the need of the hour for the Indian citizens.”
Reacting to the proposals, Apollo Hospitals Group chairman Prathap C. Reddy said, “The Aadhaar-linked health cards for senior citizens is a very welcome step.”
