Timely health services can bring a big change in anyone’s life. It is especially important for workers facing economic hardships.
The story of 65‑year‑old waste picker Mohan Lal (name changed) from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, shows how social security and health services can help vulnerable workers recover from serious health problems and move towards a better, healthier life.
Mohan Lal, from a financially weak family, spent most of his life working as a contract cleaner and waste picker. He earned only ₹101 to ₹250 a day. This limited income barely covered basic family needs, making saving or meeting sudden expenses extremely difficult. Meanwhile, he was diagnosed with a serious heart blockage that required specialized treatment. The high cost of treatment became a major concern for him and his family.
Under the waste picker component of the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (Namaste) scheme, registered Mohan Lal received an Ayushman Card under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM‑JAY). With this facility, on 8 May 2026, he could have his heart blockage treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. The entire cost of his treatment was borne under the scheme.
After successful treatment, Mohan Lal recovered, returned to work, and began supporting his family again. Access to health services reduced the economic burden of emergency medicine and gave him the chance to focus on improving his health. Timely treatment restored his confidence and sparked new hope for the future.
Mohan Lal’s journey highlights the importance of accessible health services and social security for waste pickers and other vulnerable workers. His recovery story shows how welfare schemes can remove barriers to essential treatment, preserve dignity, and improve family welfare. It is an inspiring example of how timely assistance helps people recover from difficult circumstances, regain confidence, and move forward with hope for a better future.