Odisha Joins Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Odisha has officially become the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This significant milestone was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Department of Health and Family Welfare of the Odisha government. The ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, with key officials from both the central and state governments in attendance. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare access for millions of families in Odisha, providing them with essential financial support for medical treatments.
Key Details of the MoU Signing Ceremony
The MoU was signed by Smt. LS Changsan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Smt. Aswathy S, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha. The event was presided over by Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Other notable attendees included Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, and several Union Ministers.
During the ceremony, Shri Nadda emphasized the historic significance of the day for Odisha. He described AB PM-JAY as the world’s largest health coverage scheme, which has been rapidly implemented since its inception. The scheme is fully digitized and aims to cover approximately 45% of India’s population. The Union Minister also highlighted the launch of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, which is set to benefit around 6 crore individuals aged 70 and above. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
Benefits of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme in Odisha
The Ayushman Bharat scheme will be implemented in conjunction with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in Odisha. This convergence will provide a health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per annum, with an additional ₹5 lakh for women members. Approximately 1.03 crore families in Odisha will benefit from this scheme, with 67.8 lakh families supported by the Union Government.
Shri Nadda shared impressive statistics regarding the impact of AB PM-JAY since its launch. He reported that there have been 8.19 crore hospital admissions, with ₹1.13 lakh crore spent on healthcare for marginalized communities. This increase in hospital admissions is attributed not to a rise in diseases but to improved access to affordable healthcare. The scheme covers nearly 2,000 medical procedures across 27 specialties, including major surgeries like bypass surgeries and knee replacements.
Transforming Healthcare Access for Odisha’s Residents
The integration of AB PM-JAY with GJAY is expected to transform healthcare access for the people of Odisha. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi noted that residents who previously relied on around 900 empaneled hospitals will now have access to cashless and quality treatment in over 29,000 government and private empaneled hospitals. This convergence will benefit approximately 4.5 crore people in the state, significantly improving the health status of 86% of Odisha’s population.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed optimism about the MoU, stating that it marks a new beginning for Odisha’s healthcare sector. He emphasized the importance of expanding digital healthcare services across all districts. Other officials, including Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shri Jual Oram, highlighted the positive impact of the scheme on tribal, underprivileged, and migrant populations. They noted that the integration of the two schemes would help address health inequalities and bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas.
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