Bhubaneswar (14 January 2025): Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana in 2018, but it was not implemented in Odisha by the previous government. However, after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday, the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana has now been implemented in the state. This scheme has been integrated with the Odisha government's Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, bringing justice to the people of Odisha. The scheme is expected to benefit the residents significantly. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will be opened in every panchayat, staffed by ANMs, health workers, and yoga instructors. He shared this information with the media at the airport.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme will benefit 1.03 crore families in Odisha. Additionally, 23,12,979 senior citizens above the age of 70 will receive medical benefits. The MoU was signed at the local Vigyan Bhavan in the presence of Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Deputy Chief Minister K.B. Singhdeo, and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling. The MoU was signed by National Health Authority (NHA) CEO L.S. Changsan and State Health Secretary S. Ashwathi.
After returning from Delhi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was warmly welcomed at the airport. He extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Several ministers and MLAs were present to welcome him.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme will bring about a significant change in the health status of 86% of the state's population. The residents will have access to advanced health facilities in 30,000 hospitals across the country instead of the current 900 hospitals. The Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana incurs a monthly health expenditure of approximately ₹350 crore in private hospitals. The health sub-centers at the panchayat level are not functioning effectively. In the coming days, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will be established in every panchayat, staffed by health workers and yoga instructors. These centers will be fully developed. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the current budget allocates approximately ₹21,000 crore for the health sector, which is 32.2% more than the previous year and constitutes 8% of the state budget. This amount aligns with the recommendations of the National Health Policy. Under Ayushman Bharat, men will receive medical benefits up to ₹5 lakh and women up to ₹10 lakh.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the government's commitment to building a healthy Odisha and a healthy society by prioritizing the health sector. Proposals were made to provide telemedicine services for doctor consultations through digital health services to expand healthcare in rural areas. Additionally, proposals for opening more medical colleges in the state were approved. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed happiness over the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha. He also highlighted the plans to establish semiconductor units in the state and start semiconductor education in five educational institutions in Odisha.
