Odisha Joins Ayushman Bharat Scheme to Boost Healthcare Coverage

Odisha, along with Delhi and West Bengal, had yet to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana. It is now preparing to join the flagship scheme to provide Rs 5 lakh health cover per family annually. The expanded program, set to begin in October, will benefit an estimated six crore citizens.

Odisha is set to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the flagship scheme aimed at providing health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation, according to official sources.

Discussions with the state are reportedly at an advanced stage. Odisha will run its existing health scheme concurrently with the AB PM-JAY, as technical issues are being worked out.

The scheme, which is shared financially between the Centre and states, has recently been expanded to cover all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income. Official sources estimate the scheme will benefit six crore citizens starting October, with 29,648 hospitals, including 12,696 private ones, currently empanelled.