New Delhi | Arun Sharma


In a major pro-patient move, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has significantly expanded access to free medical treatment for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) patients by raising the annual income eligibility limit from ₹2.20 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The decision is expected to benefit lakhs of needy patients across Delhi and beyond.


The revised eligibility will apply to private hospitals built on DDA land, which are mandated to provide free treatment to EWS patients as part of their land-allotment conditions. With the income ceiling more than doubled, a much larger section of low- and middle-income families will now qualify for free healthcare in these hospitals.


High Court Orders, Wider Impact
The decision follows Delhi High Court directions dated September 2 and October 31, 2025, and was approved during a meeting of a specially constituted committee to ensure compliance. Health authorities have been instructed to implement the order with immediate effect.


More Patients, Greater Access
Health officials said the move would bring thousands of additional patients under the EWS umbrella, easing the financial burden on families struggling with rising healthcare costs. DGHS has directed all medical superintendents and designated nodal officers to strictly enforce EWS treatment norms, warning that any violation will invite stringent action.


Nationwide Benefit
Health activist Ashok Aggarwal pointed out that 62 hospitals in Delhi currently fall under this mandate, with 10 per cent of their total beds reserved for EWS patients—nearly 1,000 beds at present. Since these hospitals are built on DDA land and function under central norms, eligible patients from across the country can also avail free treatment on the basis of valid income certificates.


A Step Towards Healthcare Equity
The decision marks a significant step towards making quality healthcare more inclusive, ensuring that access to life-saving treatment is not determined by a patient’s ability to pay. For thousands of families, the expanded EWS cover offers not just medical relief, but renewed faith in the public health system.