Scheme launched for medicare of senior citizens

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit today launched the "citizen plus card" which will offer specialized healthcare services to people above the age of 55 at the Max Super Speciality hospital.
The card will entitle the card-holders to a range of medical facilities and related amenities at the hospital.
It will also will entitle them to avail benefits on all-preventive health check-ups, diagnostic, ambulance and out-patient department services, medicines and room rents resulting in major savings, the hospital said.
It will be issued free and does not have any membership fee, the hospital said.
According to Union Health Ministry estimates, the number of people in the 60-plus age group in India will increase to 100 million in 2013 and to 198 million in 2030.

The elderly population is expected to increase to 12 per cent of the total population by 2025, 10 per cent of which would be bedridden, requiring utmost care.
"Senior people living in independent households has increased by many folds and they need frequent check-ups and diagnosis. Keeping this in mind, we have introduced the 'Citizen Plus Card' to ensure that senior citizens are minimally dependent on others in accessing prompt and quality medical attention," said Neeraj Mishra, Vice President (Operations) at the hospital.