NEW DELHI: Over its 24-year journey as a state, Uttarakhand has achieved substantial progress in healthcare, including the establishment of five government medical colleges—a notable improvement given that none existed at the time of the state’s formation. In tandem, the state has implemented the Ayushman Card scheme , enabling free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for eligible residents. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government has prioritised affordable, high-quality healthcare, focusing on opening new hospitals and upgrading existing facilities to expand access for all.
The Ayushman scheme, in particular, has been a cornerstone of healthcare for Uttarakhand residents. The programme provides Rs 5 lakh in annual coverage for 2.3 million families in the state, accepted at over 22,000 recognised government and private hospitals nationwide.
This year, over 960,000 senior citizens in Uttarakhand aged 70 and above will also receive an additional Rs 5 lakh under the scheme, ensuring younger family members’ treatment limits remain unaffected. New medical colleges established in three years During chief minister Dhami’s three-year tenure, Uttarakhand has added two new government medical colleges. Almora Medical College began operations in 2022, while Haridwar Medical College is set to open this academic session.
With 200 MBBS seats between them, the total number of first-year MBBS seats in the state has now reached 625, addressing a key area of healthcare shortage..