- By Soumyaroop Mukherjee
- Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:16 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Directorate of General Health Services (DGHS) of the Delhi Government has increased the threshold limit for free treatment in private hospitals for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category from Rs 2.2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. According to Jagran.com, the revised slab is expected to benefit approximately 800,000 people in Delhi. Currently, approximately 700,000 people in this category seek treatment at private hospitals each year. However, this number is estimated to reach 1.5 million in the coming years.
As per the state health department, the order follows directions issued by the Delhi High Court. With the revised eligibility criteria now in place, around 1.5 million poor and low-income families will be able to avail OPD and IPD treatment services at private hospitals. According to data from DGHS, about 6.5 lakh EWS patients have benefited from the scheme whille 44 thousand patients had received inpatient treatment in identified private hospitals of Delhi.
How Can You Avail The Benefits Of The Scheme?
The patient or family must submit an income certificate issued by the Revenue Department, Government of Delhi.
An Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate issued by the government is mandatory for eligibility.
Each empanelled private hospital has a designated Nodal Officer who verifies the income certificate, EWS certificate and identity proof before registering the patient under the EWS category.
During the examination process, an official from the DGHS will oversee the entire process to maintain transparency.
DGHS examines complaints related to the facility, and appropriate action is taken against hospitals if violations are confirmed.
Note: To be eligible for the scheme, patients must have valid income certificates issued by the Delhi government, not private hospitals. Nodal officers posted at hospitals will verify these documents and then only authorise treatment under the EWS category.